Join the ‘Global Celebration’ for Island Montessori

By Noelle H. Lowery

noelle@coastalbreezenews.com

Grab your passports for “A Global Celebration” benefiting Island Montessori Academy (IMA), Saturday, Feb. 21, 3-6 PM, at the Marco Island Historical Museum.

A departure from the school’s past fundraising events, “A Global Celebration” is geared toward families and is child-friendly. There will be seven stations signifying the world’s continents, and each will host samplings of food and drinks from countries within the continent. Kids will have passports to be stamped at each station, and will be able to take part in special arts and crafts activities.

There will be live entertainment from Center Stage Studios Pop Stars, the Spirit of Celtic Dance, Academy of Martial Arts and the Marco Island Charter Middle School Jazz Band, and raffles and a silent auction will be held as well.

Past fundraisers were cocktail-style events and included a sit down dinner, live and silent auctions, live entertainment, raffles and drawings. This year, school officials are hoping to attract all age groups, encourage the public to help support their school, and have some fun with the family.

Funds

raised from this year’s event will do directly to the Island Montessori Academy Development Fund, with the majority of the amount raised going towards scholarships. The IMA Development Fund supports the school, which is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation. As an independent Montessori school, and not unlike most all other private educational institutions, IMA relies on fundraising and donations to supplement its growth and development.

The Board of Directors work closely with school officials to establish and implement fundraising policies and goals. Donations may be used for:

• Montessori materials (traditional lessons, boxes, practical life)
• Classroom supplies (books, paper, pencils)
• Classroom furniture (tables, chairs, shelves)
• Classroom renovations (painting, flooring, fixtures)
• Playground improvements/maintenance (painting, new equipment, garden)
• Field trips (Naples Botanical Garden, Marco Island Racquet Center, Mackle Park programs)
• School Expansion (property, structure, landscape)
• Need-based financial aid and scholarships

Admission to “A Global Celebration” is $15 for adults, and children 12-and-under are free. Tickets for the food samplings also can be purchased, with each ticket worth $2. IMA is offering a special family pack for $50 which includes two adult admissions and 15 tickets.

For more information, visit www.islandmontessoriacademy.org/support.htm