The Bedford Education Foundation held their eighth annual Winter Bash fundraiser on February 3. This year’s BEF Mardi Gras Bash was their most successful yet, raising almost $30,000 to support creativity and innovation in Bedford’s schools. No thematic detail was spared in bringing Bourbon Street to Bedford, and once again, the BEF successfully blended their goals of providing an energetic and fun-filled evening for adults, while supporting all students throughout the school system.

One hundred and seventy-five guests, donning beads, masks, and other festive Mardi Gras garb, were treated to a true New Orleans-esque experience, complete with jazz and dance music, sparkling décor, and a green-screen photo booth to rival the French Quarter itself. Guests also participated in an extensive silent auction and raffle, and a friendly, yet highly entertaining competition to win beads, culminating in the crowning of Bedford resident David Trant as BEF Mardi Gras King!

The funds raised from the Bash will go directly towards the funding of teacher-directed grants in all four of Bedford’s schools. After funding sixteen grants, totaling over $25,000, during the 2017-2018 school year, the BEF Grant Committee is looking forward to another successful grant cycle in July.

The entire BEF board would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to the many volunteers, including several school administrators, who lent so much of their time and creativity to help this event become a reality. Huge thanks also goes out to Creative Images Photography Boston for donating their photography services, really capturing the spirit of the event through wonderful candid images. Click here to see all of the photos from the event.

Finally, a very special thank you to the BEF corporate sponsors, as well as to the local businesses who donated items and services for the silent auction and raffle, for their incredible generosity. The funds raised will go directly to Bedford’s educators, a bi-annual endeavor that would not be possible without their support and commitment to the community.

Thank you, Donors of Goods or Services:
Entertainment: Altitude, Boda Borg, Kimballs, Kings Bowling, Laser Craze, Nashoba Valley Ski Area, North Shore Music Theatre, Storyland, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Walt Disney World
Restaurants: Bamboo, The Bancroft, B.GOOD, Buttermilk and Bourbon Restaurant, Flatbread Company, Ginger Restaurant, The Great Wall, Holi, The Melting Pot, Osterio Nino, Red Heat Tavern, Seasons 52
Other businesses: Barre 3, Bedford Farms, Bucom International, Callahan’s Karate, Creative Images Photography Boston, DovenStar Intuitive Reiki Center, The Edge, iRobot, Learning Express Toys, Marriott Hotels, The Orange Chair, Organic Nails & Spa, Patriot Landscaping, Renzo Hair Salon, Wegmans
Town groups: Bedford DPW, Bedford Fire Department, Bedford Police Department, Bedford School Committee, BEST PTO, BHS Music Department, JGMS Music Department
Community members: Ann Guay, Mike McAllister, Deb Mola, Paul Nickelsberg, Sarah Scoville, Sarah Wroblewski, Christine Zbikowski