The fundraiser will include a multi-course dinner, dessert bar, wine, and music/entertainment by Jimmy Mac and the Cool Cats (pictured).

LAHAINA – Barbara Potts, president of the People for Educational Equality Foundation, and Deborah Katz, president of the Beyond the Rainbow Foundation, recently announced their collaboration on the Anuenue Dinner-Dance Gala to benefit the Lahaina Complex After School Tutor Project.

The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 in the Kaanapali area and will include an evening of dinner, dancing and fun. All of the net proceeds for the evening will benefit the Lahaina Complex After School Tutor Project.

The tutor project, founded by Richard and Pat Endsley of Lahaina over 14 years ago, is focused on increasing literacy and comprehension for students in the West Maui public schools.

Over 100 volunteer tutors work with students each year on various subjects while also helping the students gain self-confidence, self-esteem and leadership qualities.

Activities essential to the success of the tutoring program consist of: recruitment and training of the volunteer tutors; bus service for the students after the tutoring session; healthy snacks for the children because of the extended day; annual review and update of the curriculum; and field trips, books and other gifts for incentives and rewards for student participation.

Beyond the Rainbow Foundation has hosted the Aloha Team Classic golf event for the past ten years, raising over $125,000, which has been granted annually to numerous non-profits across Maui. The Lahaina After School Tutor Project has been a major beneficiary of the grants awarded by Beyond the Rainbow Foundation.

People for Educational Equality has also supported the tutoring project for the past six years with its bi-annual fundraiser at Aina Nalu.

Potts said, “Bringing together both volunteer organizations means we can offer an expanded evening event and increase our fundraising reach. We think this will be one of those events that no one will want to miss.”

Katz explained, “Plans for the evening are still being finalized, but we know the evening will include a delicious multi-course dinner, a wonderful dessert bar, wine, and music/entertainment by Jimmy Mac and the Cool Cats. There may even be a short live auction with some exceptional items.”

The number of tickets will be limited and will go on sale in a few months. The Anuenue Dinner-Dance Gala ticket price will be $200 per person; tables of eight will be offered for $1,500. For those preferring to only participate with the dessert bar, wine and dancing, the ticket price will be $80. A portion of the ticket price is a tax-deductible contribution.

To be added to the mailing list and receive event updates, send an e-mail to Anuenue-Gala@Beyond-the-Rainbow.org.

If you would like to volunteer to help with this event, contact Katz at Beyond the Rainbow Foundation at (808) 665-5815, or Potts at People for Education Equality at (808)-344-5008. Both foundations are 501(c)(3) charities registered with the State of Hawaii and the IRS.