On the Town: Booster Club, Tony’s go after causes
With two different, and yet equally important goals, the Roosevelt Elementary School Booster Club and Tony Yanow, the proprietor of Burbank’s Tony’s Darts Away, staged respective fundraisers this past week.
Gathering at the Canyon Grille at DeBell Golf Club, Roosevelt Elementary School parents and supporters joined faculty and staff members as the school’s Booster Club presented its second annual mixer and silent auction last Friday evening.
Welcomed by Principal Jennifer “Dr. Meg” Meglemre, the event’s chairwoman, Toby Black, teacher liaison Linda Walmsley and members of the event committee, more than 100 supporters enjoyed the evening staged to raise funds to carry out the booster’s mission of enhancing and expanding Roosevelt’s academic, social and arts programs for the benefit and enrichment of each student.
Among the programs and materials the boosters have pledged to fund this year are the supplies for the school’s computer lab. Also, they will help pay for a guidance counselor who will be shared with Jefferson Elementary, if the hire is approved by the school board.
The group is also dedicated to raising $90,000 to fund kindergarten intervention programs; a violin program that provides weekly lessons to every first- and second-grader; all classroom, library and Lunch Club supplies; the funding for a peaceful playground leader; the costs associated with field trips; intervention programs; a $3,000 grant for the principal to use for expenses that relate to student success; and a $500 grant per grade level for program-enhancing materials.
Among the notables in attendance at Friday’s fundraiser were City Councilwoman Emily Gabel-Luddy, City Treasurer Debbie Kukta, former school board member David Nos as well as Lucy Burgdorf, who serves as the community relations manager for Bob Hope Airport.
Every penny raised by the boosters goes directly to the cause. Donations are 100% deductible, and may be made by contacting Jen Lurie at lurie4sjkc@gmail.com.
Fundraising continued in Burbank as Tony’s Darts Away and Golden Road Brewing joined more than 100 brewers across the country to participate in the second annual “Ales for ALS,” which supports research toward finding a cure for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
A proprietary hop blend was made available, free of charge, to brewers in exchange for participation in the fundraising program. Each brewer then crafted their own custom beers using these hops, and, in turn, donates a portion of the sale of the beer to the ALS Therapy Development Institute, a nonprofit biotechnology organization that has become the world’s leader in developing effective treatments for ALS.
Among the special guests in attendance for last week’s event who saw Tony’s donate $1 from every pint of the custom brew sold (the bar and eatery will continue to do so through the end of August), were Golden Road brewmaster Jesse Houck, who created the locally brewed beer, Golden Road Brewing staffers Lisa Christie, Fran Lopez and Sara Schulte, Tony’s Darts Away manager Anthony Pecos and Eagle Rock Brewery founders Jeremy Raub and his wife, Ting Su, who, in 2009, opened the first microbrewery in Los Angeles in over 60 years.
Already gearing up for its October fundraiser to support breast cancer, Tony’s also regularly stages its “Tuesdays at Tony’s” events that feature tap takeovers by guest brewers and visits by brew masters and culinary experts who share their insight on food and beer pairings.
On Aug. 19, Tony’s will present “Beers & Books” with Nick Gingold, author of “California Brewmasters” (Georgian Bay Books, 2014), and on Aug. 26 will host representatives from the local Ladyface Ales brewery.
Tony’s Darts Away is located at 1710 W. Magnolia Blvd.
For more information about its upcoming events, visit https://www.tonysda.com.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
