Applefest Gala raises $15K for NEF grants

Over 300 guests attended the sold out second annual Applefest Gala, which was held on Sept. 16, 2016 at Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northborough. Proceeds of almost $15,000 will help to fund grants for Northborough public schools.
The event Cocktails and Dancing under the Stars highlight was the 7-piece Western MA band Fever, which kept the dance floor packed all night. The popular mystery baskets returned this year containing items from Northborough local businesses. Two baskets contained Amazon Echos. In addition a silent auction was held and a raffle for a diamond necklace donated by J Briggs & Company, a local custom jeweler designer.

The Gala was hosted by Northborough Education Foundation (NEF) and Northboro Local First (NLF). Its focus was community building, promoting local business and raising funds for Northborough public schools.
NEF President and member of NLF Marile Borden said the idea of an Applefest Gala was born over coffee as the two organizations met to discuss how they could work together.

“Thanks to an amazing committee of dedicated and hard-working women from both organizations,” said Borden, “it has turned into more than we could have ever hoped or imagined it would be in just two years.”

Tickets for the Gala sold out in just one week this year.

“It’s a testament how positively the community received the event,” said Borden. “We now have an additional $15,000 to fulfill grant requests from the remarkable teachers and administrators in our town.”

NEF funds grants each year to improve curriculum, programs and services above and beyond the level supported by the annual school budget. It was able to award $38,400 in grants in 2016. It also kicked off a 15 month Chromebook Campaign in the spring with a goal of $50,000. To date, that campaign has raised $13,500.

NLF is a collaborative effort by local, independent small business owners, community members, nonprofit organizations and all stakeholders of the Northborough community to help build & maintain a vibrant local economy.