ENSIGN FUND TO HOST 1st ANNUAL MIX + MINGLE BY THE SEA TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ENSIGN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

Newport Beach, CA –A group of over 40 members and other parents of children attending Ensign Intermediate School in Newport Beach, CA called The Ensign Fund, have set out to raise $110,000 for the 2010-2011 school year. The kick-off event will be the 1st Annual Mix + Mingle By The Sea, an event to raise necessary funds affected by the state budget cuts and most importantly create a parent community among the families attending the school.

“Middle school is such a quick two years, and we are excited for this new event as a way to bring together our families from our five feeder elementary schools into one Seabee community.” Comments Steve McLaughlin, the Principal at Ensign.

Top priority for the group’s budget and administration is to fund a College Guidance Specialist. This position is crucial and beneficial to all students at Ensign and would be responsible for managing programs such as Challenge Day - http://www.challengeday.org/challenge-day-program.php; AVID http://www.avid.org/about.html ; National Junior Honor Society; G.A.T.E. (Gifted & Talented Education); Renaissance Program; Extracurricular Clubs, Intramural Sports; Technology upgrades and more. The Ensign Fund raises money for many other enrichment programs at Ensign Intermediate School, including faculty support to provide smaller learning environments.

The 1st Annual Mix + Mingle By The Sea event will be held on Sunday, October 3rd at the American Legion Hall (215 East 15th St., Newport Beach) from 5:00-9:00 pm.

Tickets are $35 per person, include an amazing island-inspired dinner buffet and non-hosted bar. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.ensign.schoolloop.com - using the Communities drop down menu and then click on Ensign Fund to use your credit card or PAYPAL. Ticket forms are also available at the school front office (2000 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach 92663).

Guests will dance to the tunes of The Fabulous Nomands (http://www.fabulousnomads.com/) , enjoy the live entertainment donated by Island Inspirations (http://www.island-inspirations.net/Island_Inspirations/Welcome.html). The event will also feature raffle prizes and a silent auction, with amazing auctions items such as items from Laird Hamilton and Steve Hillenburg from the Creator of Spongebob, signed cleats from NFL player Clay Mathews, great Ducks tickets, a Jet fighter simulation package for six and a vacation home in La Quinta Resort among other items.

“We are so excited to have a casual, fun night where they parents of the 7th and 8th graders can get together to enjoy great music and food, while helping the school raise funds to support the great programs at Ensign,” says event Co-Chair Amy Manser. Co-Chair Alewa Olotoa adds “With budget cuts being felt this year, it is more important than ever to give our kids the best educational opportunities available.”

For questions and tickets, contact Amy Manser at (714) 240-1959 or Alewa Olotoa at (310) 774-1487. To view the event flyer go to: http://www.newportharboreducationalfoundation.org/ensign/1st-annual-mix-mingle-by-the-sea/

###