Generous New Owners of Occasions Host Fall SR Event

The Superintendent’s Roundtable Fall Dinner held in October sparked a flurry of donations to the El Segundo Educational Foundation. More than 100 current and prospective SR members attended the private reception and dinner hosted by Occasions of El Segundo. The historic Richmond Street building provided a perfect setting for the annual SR event, which was a tremendous success judging by the pledges made that evening and in the days that followed. Superintendent’s Roundtable gifts resulting from the event have given a generous boost to the Foundation’s fundraising efforts this year, with a record number of local residents, businesses and service clubs

New Owners of Occasions: (L-R) Kathy & Keith Pippard and Teryl, Audrey & Stephen O’Connor

contributing $1,000 or more to the 2006-2007 Fostering Excellence in Education campaign.

This event was one of the largest undertakings yet for the new owners of the Garden Wedding and Special Events business located in a historic building at 139 Richmond Street. Despite the fact that they had recently acquired the business and their kitchen was not yet completed, Occasions provided a specially prepared menu for SR members and guests to enjoy.

Occasions’ co-owner Audrey O’Conner said they had to come up with a "Plan B" for the event, which involved preparing food in the kitchen of one of El Segundo’s premiere restaurants, Chef Hannes on Main Street. "We were most appreciative of Hannes’ kind offer to use his cooking facilities for the Foundation’s event. His generosity and community spirit was such a nice way to welcome us to town," said O’Conner, who’d just purchased the company with her brother and sister-in-law Stephen and Teryl O’Connor and friends Kathy and Keith Pippard.

None the wiser, guests enjoyed a delicious variety of culinary selections served from beautifully displayed food stations throughout the historic building’s inviting dining room, serene courtyard and garden areas. The menu featured boneless chicken medallions draped with button mushrooms and a classic Madeira demi; martini mashers of red roasted garlic mashed potatoes topped with seafood ragout or chicken gumbo, sliced green onions and chopped bacon; homemade potato leak and

tomato ginger soups served in petite tasting cups accompanied by crispy bread sticks; three-cheese tortellini pasta with chardonnay cream sauce; classic Caesar salad; and a Belgian Chocolate fondue station.

"The Fall Dinner received rave reviews from the Foundation’s guests. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to try it all, especially the martini mashers and Belgian Chocolate fondue stations, which had many repeat visitors," said Chris Sherrill, Chairman of ESEF’s Community Giving Committee. "Our members agreed it was the best Superintendent’s Roundtable event to date. We are grateful to Occasions for their generosity and for making this event a huge success!"

Since the ESEF announced its ambitious goal to grant $500,000 by the end of the school year to the El Segundo Unified School District, more than 30 donors have joined the Roundtable for the first time or renewed their memberships. Ten donors have committed to gifts of $2,000 or more by June 2007, making them Charter Platinum Donors, a new SR membership level announced at the event.

Similar to the 2005-2006 campaign which provided $300,000 to the ESUSD, this ESEF grant will fund technology, writing, art and music programs, with additional resources for elementary physical education, as well as robotics instruction for El Segundo’s fourth through twelfth grade students.

"Hundreds of individuals, families, businesses and corporations contribute each year to the ESEF, enabling our pooled gifts to make a real impact on the education of 3,200 ESUSD students. Fostering Excellence in Education really is a team effort, and we hope to once again enlist the community’s tremendous support to reach this year’s campaign goal," Sherrill said.

About the ESEF
The El Segundo Educational Foundation supports El Segundo Unified School District students through annual grants that enhance instructional programs and improve the quality of their public school education. Local businesses, corporations, parents, educators, alumni and residents who give to the Foundation form a partnership to Foster Excellence in Education by enriching the learning experience for El Segundo’s kindergarten through twelfth grade students.

About the Superintendent’s Roundtable
Established in 2002, the Superintendent’s Roundtable is a special group of ESEF donors who share a strong commitment to provide ongoing support for El Segundo public schools. Benefits of SR membership include private receptions, priority reservations to Foundation events and special recognition in printed materials throughout the year.

Roundtable donors include ESEF directors, past and present school board members, administrators, teachers, parents, alumni, small business owners and other education advocates who contribute $1,000 or more to the El Segundo Educational Foundation. Gifts from SR members accounted for more than a third of the Foundation’s 2005-2006 Fostering Excellence in Education grant to the ESUSD. Click here for a current list of Superintendent’s Roundtable members.