Sand & Sea Ball Raises $45,000 for Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation

June 5, 2017 – The Sand & Sea Ball, a gala dinner and dance competition produced by Arthur Murray Santa Monica on May 21, 2017, raised $45,000 for the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation. About 200 guests attended the event held at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.

The Sand and Sea Ball featured six well-known locals contending for the Mirror Ball Trophy in a dance competition modeled after "Dancing with the Stars." This year's dancers were Dr. Ben Drati, SMMUSD Superintendent; Evelyn Guerboian, Financial Officer, Atelier by Edward Avedis; Beth Hansler, National Sales Manager, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel; Dr. Kimberly Petrick, Kaiser Permanente; Jacqueline A. Seabrooks, Santa Monica Chief of Police; and Bill Walker, Santa Monica Fire Chief.

Arthur Murray Santa Monica partnered each dancer with a professional from their studio and provided 14 lessons for them to learn their assigned dances for the competition. Dr. Kimberly Petrick took home the Mirror Ball Trophy for her spirited Rumba.

"The Sand & Sea Ball is a fun and lively community event," said Linda Greenberg, Ed Foundation Executive Director. "It is an exuberant celebration of dance and music, all in support of incredible arts programs for our students. We are extremely grateful to Kaiser Permanente, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Arthur Murray Santa Monica, and everyone who made this special evening possible."

The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation funds arts education, instructional assistants and enrichment grants for schools in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. The proceeds from this event will support a ballroom dance program for fifth graders and other arts programs. Students from the program escorted guests into the Ball and started off the evening with a dance showcase.

Sponsors of the event included title sponsors Kaiser Permanente and Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, as well as Arclight Cinemas Santa Monica; Harding Larmore Kutcher & Kozal, LLP; Huntley Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Place/Macerich; Bob Gabriel Co. Insurance, in memory of Bob & Louise Gabriel; DFH Architects; Downtown Santa Monica; Santa Monica Police Officers Association; Santa Monica Travel and Tourism; and WNMS Communities.

Sand & Sea Ball Raises $45,000 for Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation

Proceeds from this gala dance competition, presented by title sponsors Kaiser Permanente and Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and produced by Arthur Murray Santa Monica, will benefit

students at all Santa Monica-Malibu public schools

In-kind sponsors included Arthur Murray Santa Monica, Awards Plus, ChiavariChairRentals.com, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows/MSD Capital, LeNique, Planet Beach, PSAV, Sado Foto, Santa Monica Brew Works and Towne Park.

About the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation

Established in 1982 by a dedicated group of parents, community leaders, and local business owners, the Ed Foundation raises funds to enhance and supplement the curriculum of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. The Foundation's mission is to engage the community to invest in a vibrant educational experience for all students in the Santa Monica and Malibu public schools.

All donations to the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation change the lives of students in the Santa Monica-Malibu public schools. Contributions fund excellent programs – from art to STEM to wellness – that shape our future problem solvers, visionaries and global citizens.

To learn more about SMMEF visit http://www.smmef.org or http://www.facebook.com/smmef.