Planning Already Underway for Black Wednesday 2016
Planning is already underway by the Huntington High School PTSA and the J. Taylor Finley Middle School PTA for Black Wednesday 2016, the annual fundraiser hosted by the two organizations at Porto Vivo in Huntington Village.
This year’s event drew a crowd of about 80 and raised $8,400 for PTA programs. Superintendent James W. Polansky, Huntington High School Principal Dr. Carmela Leonardi, Assistant Principal Brenden Cusack and his wife Kerry and Finley Principal John Amato were all there along with Huntington School Board members, parents and friends.
The evening featured an assortment of savory appetizers along with a hot buffet. Mystic Duo provided music. There was plenty of excitement as the time for final bids on designer bags and other auction items drew near. Michelle Lomler and Angela Flick won a two lease on a 2015 Toyota Corolla S, complete with a maintenance package. The car was donated by Huntington Toyota and event organizers couldn’t have been happier.
Laura Mills, Huntington High School’s PTSA president said the organization found many uses for the monies raised, including awarding three scholarships to graduating seniors and setting funds aside for student and parent programs throughout the year.
“This past year we brought Ryan’s Story (an initiative focused on bullying, cyber bullying and teen suicide) and a drug and alcohol program to the school,” Mrs. Mills said. “We also sponsor a pay-it-forward program called Grateful Hearts, provide support for arts-in-education programming, support fundraisers held by SEPTA, the Huntington Foundation and the Booster Club and contribute monies to the principal’s outreach fund and individual class gifts.”
Finley PTA President Toniann Mangan said funds raised at Black Wednesday allowed the organization to partner with the district’s arts-in-education committee to bring nationally renowned motivational speaker Rohan Murphy to the school. Monies also supported seventh grade field trips and in-school eighth grade programs.
Numerous local businesses and individuals provided goods along with raffle/auction items to help make the night a success, including Angel Tips, Bari Fehrs, Copenhagen Bakery, Finley PTA, Finley PTA Executive Board members, Funworld-Jen Totura, Golf & Body, Gsell Designs, Huntington High School PTSA, Huntington High School PTSA Executive Board, Huntington Indoor Tennis, Huntington Toyota-Thabiti Lee, Indian Head Golf Park-Kimberley Steinberg, Interthread Embroidery, Jill Carrello, Joanina Wine Shop, Kerry Irvine, Libutti Jewelers, Main Street Nursery, My Inheritance, Papillon Salon, Porto Vivo, Pure Barre, R.J. West, Rexer Parkes, Safavieh, Sapsuckers, Solow Sports, SoulCycle, Sweeties Candy Cottage, The Framing Workshop-Sally Esposito, The Paramount, The Pink Link, Valero, Velocity Driving, Victoria’s Secret, Vincent’s III Barber Shop and West Hills Cavi-Lipo Center.
Mr. Polansky proved adept as the event’s auctioneer, coaxing higher and higher bids.
The PTA units are in the process of reorganizing for the 2015/16 school year. However, the two organizations have already engaged in planning for next spring’s Black Wednesday. Organizers hope to put together the biggest event yet.