On Saturday, May 4 nearly 270 elementary school parents and guardians celebrated Piedmont’s elementary schools at the Spring Fling 2024 Gala: Carnevale de Venezia. The event, co-chaired by Marco Gonzalez-Navarro, Michael Gross, and Max Roman, was the culmination of a fantastic season of events that have raised almost $470,000 for Beach, Havens and Wildwood.
Held at Bloc15 in Jack London Square, the event featured delicious food by Robert Dorsey Catering, a robust Silent Auction whose treasures included handcrafted dresses, artwork, getaways, and fine wines, and the signature high-spirited Live Auction filled with one-of-kind experiences. Highlights included bidding on a custom painted VW Beetle Convertible, dinner from 2-star Michelin chef, James Syhabout, beautiful vacation homes, and tickets to a backstage tour and taping of Saturday Night Live donated by Piedmont High School alumna Chloe Fineman.
The weeks leading up to the gala were packed with events that contributed significantly to the fundraising efforts. The online auction closed out with hundreds of bids on products and services donated by local businesses. Comings & Goings featured local, volunteer photographers taking portraits of our Kindergarteners (Comings) and 5th Graders (Goings) as a sweet keepsake of their elementary school journey. Volunteers put together fun theme parties such as the Bubbly & Bright Aperitivo Party, Sip and Spice under Parasols, Mama Drama Pool Soireé and many more.
The Fund-a-Need program was a particular success this year, raising over $90,000 for several key initiatives aimed at fostering a warm and enriching learning environment for Piedmont students. This includes developing a positive playground culture, improving technology resources, and supporting the phonics curriculum. “With these funds, we can support new technology, work towards a more positive playground structure and ramp up our phonics curriculum,” said Roman. “We hope all elementary families will support these important initiatives with a donation to our fund-a-need program or purchase of theme party tickets.” Tickets are still available for many theme parties at PiedmontSpringFling.org.
Spring Fling Co-Chairs Marco Gonzalez-Navarro, Michael Gross, and Max Roman greet the crowd 
Andrew Hawn, Diana and Ariel Dolowich, Dr. Jennifer Hawn and Tonya Antonucci 
Greg and Anne Wheeler 
Beach moms tear up the dance floor 
More fun with Beach moms 
Auctioneer Suzannah Underwood dressed to the theme and helped our schools raise funds during the Live Auction 
Paddles go up with the bidding 
Max Roman, Adam Fishman, Arielle Harris, Scott Zengel, Arjun Varma 
Laura and Brian Jacobs join Nadja and Eric Olson celebrating Spring Fling 
Spring Fling Co-Chairs, Michael Gross (left) and Max Roman (right) with Dr. Jennifer Hawn 
Spring Fling photographers and elementary school parents, Michelle Luo of Foxtail Studios and Sasha Pryzbyla of From Stardust 
Auctioneer Susannah Underwood (center) flanked by PEF staff as gondoliers, from left: Kim Hunter, Andrea Horvath, Lisa Peters, Heather Frank, Heather Meil, Amy Cordani (photo by Catie Osborn)
Parents and community members still have the opportunity to contribute to the fund-a-need for this year at PiedmontSpringFling.org. The net revenue from Spring Fling this year will be granted to PUSD for use by Beach, Havens and Wildwood for the 2024-25 school year.
About PEF
Piedmont Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide sustained financial support to Piedmont schools through fundraising and community engagement. Led by a 25-member volunteer board and supported by a professional office staff, PEF has affirmed a commitment to working together for a more inclusive Piedmont. For more information, visit PiedmontEdFoundation.org.
