On Saturday, Feb. 1, don your garrison cap, Service Dress Blue and Service Khaki uniforms, and head down to the Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz for Vine Hill Elementary PTA’s Auction Gala 2025.
This year’s theme is “Yacht Rock Party,” and the onshore event features waves of frivolity including dinner, an open bar, live music by Mustache Harbor, dancing and a fabulous auction.
Danny Miller, the in-stadium host of the San Jose Sharks and San Jose Earthquakes, will be emceeing the night away, and organizers hope that his placid voice will help raise the $100,000 needed to toss a life-preserver to programs designed to enhance the education of Vine Hill’s youth.
“As parents, we see firsthand how much our schools rely on community support to bridge the gap in funding (or lack thereof),” said Liz Kramer, PTA president and Auction Gala chair. “The Vine Hill Auction Gala is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a chance to come together, celebrate and make a real difference for our kids. It’s going to be an incredible evening, full of fun and generosity, all for a cause that touches every family in our community. We’re thrilled to see everyone rally for our school.”
Vine Hill Elementary School Principal Tracey Neilsen added, “The Vine Hill PTA contributes greatly to the experience of all of our students. Thanks to PTA fundraising, students are exposed to visual and performing arts, our life lab garden and nutrition learning, and increased intervention and supervision throughout the day. Events like the Vine Hill Auction are crucial to our programs, and a wonderful evening for our community to enjoy together.”
Vine Hill’s annual fundraising goal tops out at more than $300,000; Scotts Valley Unified School District (SVUSD), of which Vine Hill is a part, is the fifth least-funded district in the State of California. SVUSD’s annual revenue is about $42 million, with the district spending nearly $11,000 per student (FY 2022-23 found California school districts spending an average of $19,500 per student).
In December, the Press Banner’s Drew Penner learned that SVUSD showed just over $10 million in the general fund thanks to receiving $1.6 million more than expected. Even with those excess funds, Vine Hill is still hoping to sail toward a night of financial largess with the community’s assistance.
Get ready to party like a yacht star; tickets for the event can be purchased online at Eventbrite via tinyurl.com/3wj35sdn.
