At its first-ever gala auction, the Vashon Schools Foundation raised $335,000 to bolster a wide range of needs in Vashon’s public schools, including staffing, academic and family engagement services, arts education, social-emotional support, science programming and more.

The glittering, prom-themed event, held on Nov. 15 at Open Space for Arts & Community, brought together families, educators and community members for an evening of dining, dancing and highly competitive giving.

Nicole Donnelly Martin, the foundation’s gala chair, described the bidding as highly spirited, with people leaping to their feet to vie for some of the auction’s biggest items. The gala’s top-selling experience — a dinner for 10 in a private home prepared by a local chef — sold twice to bring in more than $14,000,

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