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On March 4th at 5:45 p.m., the community is invited to attend the Blue & Gold Auction and Gala in the Dean Coffman Activity Center on the All Saints’ Episcopal School campus.

Those who attend will be supporting the tuition assistance program at ASES that allows deserving students to attend, regardless of their family’s finances.

“You’re participating in the very life of the school,” Smokey Oats, All Saints’ headmaster, said.

The doors open at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday for drinks and social hour followed by a dinner of Heavy Hors d’oeuvres catered by Jersey Girl. Entertainment will be provided by Dionte Askew of Legendary DJ’s.

“It is going to be a fabulous party,” Oats said.

The gala will again feature its ‘lively’ silent and live auctions featuring works by local artists, adventures and experiences within the region and the opportunity to vacation on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Local designers and connoisseurs are preparing unique baskets to offer as well.

All auction items are available to view online at blueandgoldgala2023.cbo.io and bidding for silent auction items will be online via your computer or mobile device. This technology allows for you to bid from home or traveling if you are unable to attend. Live auction items will be bid on in person, but you can arrange for a proxy bidder should you not be able to attend.

“You can register and engage there at blueandgoldgala2023.cbo.io,” Oats said.

All of the proceeds will benefit the school’s tuition assistance program which is designed to enroll those students who qualify to attend – and are mission appropriate, according to Oats – but whose families may be unable to pay their tuition in full.

The program helps ensure that All Saints’ is a socio-economically diverse school, Oats said.

All Saints’ has initiated a Service Learning Program this year, which includes students in a variety of age groups.

“We have engaged with community partners,” Oats said. “Students help with real work at nonprofit agencies and service organizations while learning math, science and economics.”

At MATS, for example, students have helped with the annual census of the homeless in the area, with the personal budgeting program for shelter participants and learned about the process of preparing for and sustaining employment.

At The Heritage Center, Kindergarteners are visiting with residents on a monthly basis. According to Oats, they have already participated in interviews, both interviewing and being interviewed by their new senior friends. Both residents and students have created cards for each other to remember their special new friend until they are together for the next visit.

Students are picking up new math and logistics skills by working with Central Services, specifically in the food pantry.

“They are learning the process and purpose of food distribution and how it positively affects their community,” Oats said.

A new ASES staff member, described by Oats as a Science Catalyst, is providing experiments and experiences for K-3 students outside the classroom. Also, the school’s inaugural band has been formed, for students in 5th grade and above.

The need for preschool-age childcare is a current subject of discussion by school staff and supporters. A recent in-house social media poll drew inquiries from a number of parents.

“Forty-five people notified us within days of the post,” Oats said.

According to Oats, the school is interested in helping meet the increasing need expressed by community leaders and is currently researching facility and staffing requirements.

Indvidual Blue and Gold Auction and Gala tickets are $125. Sponsorships are available for $400 to up $2,000 depending on the level of sponsorship.

For more information about the Blue and Gold Gala and school programs, call 423-586-3280 or email admissions@asestn.org.