The Foothills got funky ? for a good cause.
The La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation held its 15th annual black-tie gala, "The Disco Ball," on Saturday at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
About 700 parents, supporters and community leaders, who contributed to the foundation, attended the 1970s-themed evening, filled with live and silent auctions, dinner and dancing and music by the "The Funky Hippeez."
"This is the largest event of the year," Renee La Bran, foundation president, said. "We are really visible in the community and we sold out faster than ever."
The gala netted an estimated $350,000, said Julie Battaglia, foundation board member. The previous year's gala generated about $375,000.
The La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation raises private funds for the La Cañada Unified School District. Funding supports fine arts programs, class-size reduction, staffing of librarians and counselors, technology and more.
The sold out event was the result of a 20% increase in ticket revenues, according to Lisa Singelyn, event advisor and parent.
"With budget cuts, it makes an event like this more important," Singelyn said. "All things that the state does not pay for or fill, we fund."
School board member and past foundation president, Jinny Dalbeck, was honored with the Spirit of Outstanding Service Award.
Dalbeck, the mother of two adult daughters, has also chaired the Five Star Coalition of School Districts, which includes the Glendale and Burbank districts, for the past three years.
"It's truly about everybody doing their part for education," Dalbeck said.
Dalbeck added that one of the goals of the foundation is to help reduce class size. The number of students per classroom increases after the third grade.
"Anytime you can reduce the student-teacher ratio, you have more of an impact on education," she said.
Foundation and district officials will meet at the end of the school year to discuss the allocation of the funds collected from the gala.
