The Rockville Centre Education Foundation marked 35 years of supporting local teachers and students with a communitywide celebration May 2 at Gatsby on the Ocean at Jones Beach, bringing together educators, residents and local leaders for what organizers called a “birthday” gala honoring the group’s long-standing impact.
Rather than a traditional awards ceremony, the evening focused on reflection and celebration of the all-volunteer organization, which has raised more than $1 million since its founding in 1991 to fund teacher initiatives, classroom grants and student enrichment programs across the Rockville Centre School District.
“To be exact, we’ve given over a million dollars in the last 35 years,” said co-president Eric Mingorance. “This only works because of all the volunteers, parents, the businesses and students … everyone comes together to support innovative education in our community.”
The foundation provides funding for ideas that fall outside the scope of traditional school budgets, enabling teachers to pursue creative projects that enhance learning. Over the years, grants have supported initiatives ranging from classroom technology upgrades to expanded arts programming.
Looking ahead, leaders say they remain focused on sustaining that mission while expanding participation. Co-president Darren Raymar, a former district principal, said priorities include continuing teacher grant funding and attracting new board members.
“We want to continue giving money away to the teachers who write these amazing grants,” Raymar said. “We also hope to get some new blood on board, some new membership.”
This year’s gala also marked a shift in approach, with the foundation choosing to spotlight its own longevity and continued service rather than honoring a single educator or community member.
“We’ve been doing this through COVID, through thick and thin, through recessions," Mingorance said. “We felt like we deserved to celebrate that we have continued on and persevered to do the mission, which is to support education in our community.”
The event featured live music from the South Side High School Jazz Band, along with food stations, raffle baskets and a silent auction. Proceeds will support future scholarships and classroom grants, continuing the foundation’s long partnership with the district.
Much of the organization’s work is driven by volunteers who are deeply connected to the community, including parents of graduates and former school administrators.
“The fact is that people that really want to do this aren’t being roped into doing it," Raymar said. “They’re doing it because we love Rockville Centre and the public-school department.”
Board members say the foundation’s impact is often felt in classrooms without families realizing the source of the funding behind certain programs.
“I think they don’t necessarily know that it’s funded by the Rockville Centre Education Foundation. So, it’s important to us to make sure people are aware that we are able to step in and fund grants that are really passion projects for teachers,” said Laura Burns, a board member of five years.
As the foundation looks to the future, leaders say they aim to expand community involvement while staying true to the mission that has guided the organization for more than three decades.
“I think we have the ability to be a bridge there between the business community, the parents and the educators,” Mingorance said.
