Spring Benefit Honors Brooklyn Friends School’s Past, Present, and Future

by Karen Edelman

On Friday, May 2, 300 members of the BFS community gathered to celebrate our community together and raise funds for Financial Aid and Endowment. As the guests entered the tent at the Tobacco Warehouse in DUMBO, directly beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, all were awed by the beautiful setting. Lights, food and music abounded—but it was the Silent Auction tables where people gathered. They bid on restaurant gift certificates, art work, massages, sports equipment, autographed Jets and Giants posters, and special BFS experiences.

Halfway through the night, Upper School faculty members Mark Buenzle, Vlad Malukoff and Jeremy Richards started the live auction. While guests went wild for the Tribeca Restaurant package and the cooking class a the Tribeca Grill, it was the special BFS related items that really stole the show. The playdate with beloved teachers Tony and Sara Soll, as well as fantastic pieces created by our preschool and lower school students raised a record amount of money!

But one of the most exciting parts of the live auction is when Vlad Malukoff shared with everyone how being the recipient of financial aid as a child changed his life. Guests raised their paddle numbers and $5,200 was quickly raised. Then a generous parent offered $20,000 if we could raise another $5,000! That goal was not only reached but surpassed at $6,200! Just by lifting up their hands, our community raised over $31,000 for financial aid!

At the beginning of the evening, Michael Nill, Head of School, welcomed everyone by telling them that the goal for the money to be raised that evening was $100,000… $1,000 for every year that the BFS Upper School was in existence. The evening was a smashing success, with funds raised exceeding $150,000—more than $1,000 for every year that the entire school has been in existence! And more than any other Benefit in the history of the school! $35,000 of those funds will go towards financial aid—the remaining will be put towards the Financial Aid Endowment Fund.

The Spring Benefit committee and many other volunteers must be thanked for their tremendous work in making this event a fantastic success. Thank you to all members of our community for your generous support and a great party!