Kenwood Ed Foundation to host Opry fundraiser

The Kenwood Education Foundation is heading to the Grand Ole Opry for its annual Lights, Camera, Auction! fundraiser on Saturday, April 23 at Kenwood Farms & Gardens in Kenwood. This year’s fundraiser chair is Regina Rolland, a local business owner and Kenwood parent. 

Rolland says, “The Grand Ole Opry represents the best of Nashville, much as the small community school in Kenwood represents the best of local public education. Everyone who’s anyone in country music has graced the Opry’s famous stage, from Johnny and June to Patsy, Dolly, Hank, and Garth – and we fully expect that everyone who’s anyone in the Kenwood community will be breaking out their dancing boots to join us for this great night out.”

The evening starts at 4:30 p.m. There will be a silent and live auction, sit-down dinner, wines, and country music from local band Twang Ditty.

Guests are invited to come as they are or to dress as their favorite Grand Ole Opry star, past or present. The event is open to the Sonoma Valley community.

Tickets are $100 per person or $1,100 for a table of 10, including wine. Tickets are available online at kef.schoolauction.net/lca2016.

Thanks to a donation of high-end vodka from Hanson of Sonoma, the night will include specialty cocktails to fit the Grand Ole Opry theme. “We are lucky in our small town to have such great support from local wineries and businesses,” said Rolland.

Dinner will be family style under the tent with garlic-crusted tri-tip with salad, veggies, and pasta, and homemade pies for dessert. An informal afterparty will take place at Palooza.

This year’s “fund a need” paddle-raising during the dinner hour will support STEAM education at Kenwood Elementary School.

Childcare will be available at Kenwood School from 4 p.m. to midnight with experienced caregivers, and dinner will be provided.

The Kenwood Education Foundation raises money to support educational programs, and attempts to “create opportunities for broader community involvement, and enhances educational experiences available to local students.” The board is comprised of Cynthia Coleman, president; Nate Lamar, Breanne Benward, Abigail Peterson, Mario Azevedo, Teresa Jepson, Rosemarie Ramponi, Kristin Lamar, Carly House, Lisa Olsen, Abigail Zimmerman, Rafaela Morillas and Bob Bales (principal at Kenwood Elementary School).