Portola Valley gala: 'A Night to Remember' Portola Valley gala: 'A Night to Remember' (May 19, 2004)

Portola Valley's once-every-four years gala was "A Night to Remember" for some 640 party-goers and a huge $525,000 boost for the Portola Valley Schools Foundation. Guests, arriving at Runnymede Farm in Woodside May 1, wined, dined in style and bid on hundreds of auction items. The tented area was transformed to the "51 Club" after the New York City jazz club by same name with music and dancing.

"We had the most people we ever had at a gala," said Diana Bergeson, co-chair with Sherry Andrighetto. The community event sold out two weeks in advance, and surpassed the planners' original goal of raising $500,000. There even was a waiting list that organizers worked to accommodate.

Bidding was so intense for the five-course dinner for 16, prepared by a chef from Gary Danko in a parent's home, that this auction item was sold twice for $17,000 each. Dinner with "Bay Cafe" celebrity chef Joey Altman for 10 in a private home raised $19,000.

Auctioneer Bruce Costello of DoveBid, who donated his services, kept the bidding going. An intricate diamond bracelet went for $20,000; a winter vacation at Deer Valley "where the jet set jets" brought $16,000; and the Los Angeles trip to watch the Emmy-winning show "Will and Grace" live from behind the scenes raised $16,000.

A last-minute addition -- a day on the set with Academy Award- winning screen writer and director Callie Khouri anywhere in the United States -- brought $10,000 for the foundation treasury. Ms. Khouri's past credits include the films "Thelma and Louise" and "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood."

New this year was the chance to buy a key for $100 to a treasure chest that when unlocked would give a lucky teacher the vacation of choice. The winner Jenny Lebsack, Ormondale second-grade teacher, hasn't decided yet where she will go. One-hundred keys were sold, raising $10,000.

Teachers also took part in offering treats such as sewing and snow boarding/skiing lessons, a museum tour and special outings such as lunch at Pier 39 and a day at Alcatraz. Their packages raised $13,000 and went for 308 percent of the actual value, said the co-chairs.

The Portola Valley School District board also got into the auction mode. Board members will host a cocktail-appetizer party for 50 people on a Las Vegas theme for the winner of the "Heads and Tails" game who paid $9,000 for the party. Music will be provided by Carleton White, music specialist, and parent Nancy Savage on the flute.

Party-goers praised the volunteers who organized and produced the gala.

"We had a great team of fantastic people who were detailed-oriented and very dedicated to the cause," said Ms. Bergeson. A core of 20 to 25 volunteers met monthly since last fall. Lisa Keith was the auction chair, and Kathy Scandalios stepped up as the solicitation chair, working with her team to come up with items for the silent auction.

In recent weeks, about 150 volunteers worked on the gala, including those setting up before the gala and cleaning up the day after.

Last month, a pint-sized gala for school kids, who crafted auction items, raised $20,000.

"We're grateful to the Rosekrans family for the use of Runnymede and to the many underwriters who offset the cost of the party and the many in-kind donations, including all the beverages," said Ms. Bergeson.

-- Marjorie Mader

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