Fundraising Celebration to Benefit Education Foundation; Glastonbury Education Foundation Reaches Out to the Community.

GLASTONBURY, Conn. -- The Glastonbury Education Foundation in association with the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce is hosting a founders reception on November 30 at 6 p.m. The event kicks off the foundation's initial awareness and fundraising activities. Money raised from the celebration will help support and enrich our children's educational experience. The goal of the reception is to raise $50,000 to help expand educational opportunities for our children and the community. There will be a silent and live auction, and many refreshments to enjoy. Ted Sergi, President of the Connecticut Center for Science and Exploration will be a featured speaker. Contact the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce at [phone] for tickets.

After a five-year hiatus, the Glastonbury Education Foundation is active again with a new mission, leaders, and fundraising activites. The foundation's mission is to promote excellence, innovation and creativity in education for our children and community. The Board of Education asked the Glastonbury Education Foundation to reactivate its board to complement educational activities not funded by tax dollars. To restart the foundation, $12,000 in funds were raised from the retirement reception in June for Jacqueline Jacoby, past Superintendent of Glastonbury Public Schools.

The foundation is governed by a board of directors and led by an executive committee of four officers and an at-large board member. The all-volunteer board includes ex-officio representatives from the Board of Education, Town of Glastonbury, Chamber of Commerce, PTSO, sports and recreation groups.

Ira Yellen, Foundation Chair, and President and CEO of First Experience Communications in Glastonbury said, "Community support for our schools has been steadfast and generous. While both the Glastonbury Education Foundation and the Board of Education may have similar goals concerning the needs of our school children, it should be stated clearly that the foundation will be independent of the Board of Education."

Some proceeds from the November 30 fundraising celebration will fund grants to be given by the foundation next year. According to Eric Person of Glastonbury's Chamber of Commerce, "the Chamber has offered financial and administrative support for the foundation. The Chamber and its members are dedicated in the foundation's efforts to support the education of our children."