Newport School Offers Two Levels of Tickets to Fundraiser to Broaden Base of Support

• 

Guests at the IYRS Annual Summer Gala in Newport enjoy themselves at the school, next to a classic wooden tender like those restored by students at this marine trades and technology school.

Our school is an important fixture in the community...Offering two levels of tickets helps more individuals support the school at the level they wish to." Loriana De Crescenzo, Director of Annual Giving

Newport, Rhode Island (PRWEB) June 27, 2012

The IYRS Annual Summer Gala, sponsored on July 7 by The Hilton Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and the Prestige Family of Fine Cars, is one of the hottest summer parties on the Newport social scene. But while some patrons pay thousands of dollars to support a table of ten dinner guests, others pay as little as $100 to attend the after-dinner portion of the evening.

This Rhode Island school—a marine trades and technology school that trains craftsmen to build, restore and maintain classic and modern boats and their systems—has been offering two tiers of tickets to their annual fundraiser for several years. The move has helped build a broad base of support for the school in this maritime community.

“Our school is an important fixture in the community where students acquire skills that lead to rewarding careers,” said Loriana De Crescenzo, IYRS Director of Annual Giving. “Offering two levels of tickets to our annual fundraiser helps more individuals support the school at the level they wish to—while still catching up with friends at one of the best-attended parties in town.”

The IYRS Annual Summer Gala takes place on the evening of Saturday, July 7 at the school’s waterfront campus located on Newport’s popular Thames Street. On Gala weekend, the historic campus that is normally a place of industry where students train is transformed with theatrical lighting and décor and elegant white tents.

Dinner guests arrive at 5:30 pm for a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner and a live auction; the after-dinner potion of the evening runs from 9 pm to midnight with dancing, an open bar and dessert buffet, and a silent auction.

This year’s event carries a theme of “Mastering the Craft: Celebrating 15 Years of Excellence.” Together with the school, event co-chairs Jamie Hilton of Newport and Pam Rorke Levy of San Francisco have orchestrated an evening that will mark IYRS milestones and give attendees a deeper understanding of the school’s mission. For the first time, gala-goers will see a showcase of the fine craftsmanship produced by students and a series of micro-exhibits that document the school’s achievements.

The Gala crowns an entire weekend of festivity both on land and on the water—all centered around this waterfront school.

The Annual Summer Gala has attracted a strong lineup of sponsors. Joining title sponsors The Hilton Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and the Prestige Family of Fine Cars are: the Argo Group, BankNewport, Boat International, Condé Nast Publications, Fidelity Investments, Hinckley Yachts, Juergen and Anke Friedrich (JAH Foundation), Lexus, Mount Gay Rum, Perini Navi, Ralph Lauren, Rybovich, Three Golden Apples, Tito's Vodka, VCFA Group and Wimco Private Villas.

Two levels of Gala tickets are available. Dinner tickets are $375 per person (5:30 pm to midnight); after-dinner tickets are $100 per person (9 pm to midnight). For more information about the event, tickets and a schedule of the weekend’s festivities, visit http://www.iyrs.org or contact IYRS Events Manager Erica Kana (401-848-5777, ext 231 / ekana(at)iyrs(dot)org).

PDF Print