Community Corner

Education Foundation Holds First Stars Under the Stars Charity Ball, Raising Money for Local Teachers' Projects

The South Bay Union School District Education Foundation held its first charity ball earlier this month, but its biggest fundraiser is in July during the Sandcastle Competition.

Education Foundation held its first "Stars Under the Stars" charity ball and dance May 14 in what organizers want to make an annual event.

In its 10th year, the Education Foundation primarily raises money for student activities or to assist teachers' projects across the district.

Around 140 people attended the event at the Clarion Hotel in National City.

Find out what's happening in Imperial Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The and DJ Franco provided the night's music until midnight.

Gift baskets in the silent auction were made by each school and the district's Fiscal Services department.

Find out what's happening in Imperial Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stars Under the Stars raised more than $5,000 that will go towards things such as the foundation's minigrant program to sponsor the projects of district teachers.

The night's honorees included Julia Bauer, Don Cousino and Bob Muff for their help each year in parking cars to raise money during the summer Sandcastle Competition.

Superintendent Carol Parish, the foundation's District Liaison Ray Teran and Pacific Realty and McNally Management owner Gary Treischman were also honored.

"The music before and during dinner and the dancing after dinner, the bidding on the beautiful baskets was great," said Parish at the school board's May 19 meeting, mentioning that the district could use the foundation's help in paying the salary of a music teacher next year.

"We may need a bigger ballroom next year and more cars parked in the summer during the Sandcastle Competition, but we are inspired by all your work you've done and appreciate that. It's very exciting."

Last month, the foundation handed out more than $7,000 in minigrants; up to $500 was awarded to teachers districtwide to sponsor things like: 

  •  $500 to pay entrance fees for a SeaWorld Ocean Discovery field trip for .
  •  $420 for water conservation garden and composting at .
  • $500 for interactive whiteboard software with lined white boards for kindergartners to practice their writing at Berry Elementary School.
  • $350 to fund transportation to Lakeside for Science Club Participation in SDCOE Science Field Day for Mendoza Elementary.

Field trips to UCSD, USD and SDSU were also funded.

Though Stars Under the Stars was a success in its first year, the Education Foundation's biggest fundraiser remains parking cars at during the Sandcastle Competition.

To volunteer to help during the , contact Dana Tomlinson

To donate money to the foundation, visit or mail checks made to the attention of the foundation's treasurer, Mary Parsons.

Correction: The original version of this article stated that the Education Foundation parks cars at Mar Vista High School. In fact, the Foundation parks cars during the Sandcastle Competition to raise funds at West View Early Learning Center, formerly West View Elementary School.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here