The Haldane School Foundation raised more than $35,000 for the district at its annual Fall Ball Sept. 28, at Bear Mountain Inn.
More than 200 guests mingled at the newly renovated lodge and on the patio overlooking Hessian Lake before moving upstairs for dinner and dancing to a live band. The highlight of the night, however, was past HSF president Dani Locastro’s emotional tribute to retiring Superintendent Dr. Mark Villanti.
“The theme of this year’s event was ‘Be the Solution,’ and nobody epitomizes that attitude more than Dr. Villanti,” said Craig Roffman, HSF vice president. “During his years as our superintendent, Dr. Villanti brought an enthusiasm to Haldane that was on clear display in the energy and support of everyone attending this year’s Fall Ball.”
The more than $35,000 raised this year came from ticket sales, proceeds from silent and live auctions and generous contributions from sponsors. Among the record number of sponsors this year were anchor sponsor Scanga Innovative Woodworking, Alley’s Way Car, Almost Home Kennels, American Tree House Company, Archipelago at Home, Assogna Endodontics, B&C Flooring, Bailey Dentistry, Dr. Anthony Bonavoglia, Brennan Built, Brothers Lawn & Landscape, Downey Oil, Gahagan Child & Adolescent Therapy, Hudson Valley Fresh, Dr. Sean Rooney and Media Pantry.
Proceeds from the Fall Ball and HSF events fund educational enrichment grants for classroom technology, educational field trips, library upgrades and other initiatives. Key projects to receive funding from this year’s event will include a state of the art Media Arts and Technology Lab at Haldane.
That project was the focus of a live “KICKSTARTER” session that raised more than $6,000. High School Principal Brian Alm and Elementary School Principal Brent Harrington introduced the session. Haldane Teachers Leah Horn and Simon Dudar kicked off the drive with a $500 pledge from the Haldane Faculty Association. Contributions for the Haldane Arts & Technology Lab are being accepted at haldaneschoolfoundation.org.
Photos courtesy HSF
