A Sparkling Spring Soirée Raises over $275,000 for Burlingame Schools

bcemarketing
May 4
6 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Student performers, community partners, and a crew of dedicated volunteers made the night shine, and brought in the bids!

“A Night Among the Stars” BCE Annual Fundraising Soirée took place on March 22, 2025 with over 250 guests from the Burlingame community. This year, the event returned to the San Francisco Airport Bayfront Hilton, and gathered parents, teachers, school staff, community leaders, and alumni families who came together to raise much-needed funds for our schools. Guests kicked off the night with a cocktail reception, enjoyed inspiring performances by Burlingame students and educators, bid in a live auction and Fund-a-Dream, and hit the dance floor at the close of the night. Together the 2025 BCE Fundraising Soirée, Live Auction and Online Auction raised over $275,000 for our Burlingame Schools!

"A Night Among the Stars was a beautiful event! The evening reminded me just how bright our community shines when we come together for our schools." -First-time attendee and Lincoln PTA Co-President Vidya Nathu

The Spring Soirée in numbers:

✨ More than 250 parents, educators, and community members,

✨ over $275,000 raised in the Live auction, Online Auction and Fund-a-Dream,

✨ more than 26 local businesses represented,

✨ 22 students performing music and choir,

✨ 30 dedicated volunteers, and

✨ 400 pounds of gourmet chocolate!

“Since we had to make the event a virtual celebration during the pandemic, our annual fundraiser has been evolving as something new and unique every year. It’s been amazing to see this Soirée grow, and moving it back to the Hilton gave us the space to include many the new families joining the BCE community," said BCE President Jen Faber. "It's been heartwarming to see the buzz and energy build. The Soirée is an amazing way to get to know the work of BCE, start to make connections, and get involved." Over twenty first-time families joined the event this year.

Student Stars

Party-goers were treated to live student performances throughout the evening. A fourth and fifth grade choir ensemble from Lincoln and Roosevelt Elementaries performed “It’s a Hard Knock Life” and “There's No Business Like Show Business” under the direction of BSD Music Teachers Carol Ann Prater and René Canto-Adams.

“It has been a joy and an honor to teach music in the Burlingame School District for the past 53 years,” Prater told us. She went on to say, “Each week, TK–5 students across all our school sites benefit from music instruction—made possible by BCE funding. Research confirms that the arts and music build brain connections, strengthen memory, and foster emotional intelligence. A simple song can boost vocabulary and listening skills, while rhythm exercises enhance motor development. Heartfelt thanks to BCE for all you do to keep music alive and thriving in our schools!”

Canto-Adams also joined Trio Canto to play jazz music throughout the cocktail reception.

Auction Action

One of the most spirited moments of the 2025 BCE Soirée was the live auction, which brought a wave of excitement and generosity to the evening. Guests enthusiastically competed for an array of standout packages, from a luxurious Mexican getaway to VIP Warriors tickets and exclusive culinary experiences generously donated by local tables like Jack's, Hana Izumi and Bacchus Wine and Spirits. The energy in the room was electric as the auctioneer’s charm and quick wit kept the bidding fast-paced and fun. Cheers erupted with each winning bid, as community members demonstrated both their enthusiasm for the prizes and their deep commitment to supporting Burlingame’s public schools.

The auction culminated in the “Fund-a-Dream” segment, where attendees were invited to raise their paddles in direct support of vital educational programs and resources for Burlingame students. With each donation level announced, paddles flew up in a heartwarming display of shared purpose. “More than just a fundraising moment, Fund-a-Dream serves as a powerful reminder of our community’s deep belief in the importance of strong public schools,” said BCE Executive Director Meredith Dunn. Unlike the auction packages, Fund-A-Dream isn’t about winning an item; it’s about coming together to fund music, PE, electives, early intervention, and more for every student in the district. As the auctioneer called out giving levels, paddles rose high across the room—from $20,000 gifts to $500 contributions—all adding up to an incredible show of community support. The auction was a resounding success—not only in dollars raised, but in the spirit of generosity and connection it inspired throughout the room.

BCE won the jackpot when John Marcovici, owner of Jack’s Restaurants, raised his hand to sever as the auctioneer for this year’s Live Auction! As a proud BCE parent, John has deep roots in our community—his children are currently in fourth grade at Franklin, seventh grade at Burlingame Intermediate School, and ninth grade at Burlingame High School. He knows firsthand the impact of our incredible teachers, staff, and the wide range of programs that make Burlingame schools so special.

John was honored to support BCE and is ready to bring his signature energy and enthusiasm to the evening. With a lively crowd and a little pre-auction encouragement from a well-stocked bar, he amped up the excitement, generosity, and encouraged some friendly bidding wars—all in support of our schools!

It Takes a Village

More than 26 businesses partnered with BCE to sponsor or donate to the Soirée. “In the last two years, the support from our local business community has grown exponentially!” said Dunn. This celebration demonstrated that momentum. Leading the pack was the Title Sponsor for the Night, Disen Cai Real Estate.

Long-time supporter All Natural Stone has a long history of helping BCE host fabulous celebrations for the community, and the spring Soirée was no different! All Natural Stone offered up not one, but two signature cocktails for the night. Guests could choose from the Starry Fizz or the Moon Over Manhattan, or… as many party-goers did… try them both! “We are truly delighted to hear about the success of the event, and we are proud to have been a part of it. Supporting BCE and the Burlingame community brings us great joy, and look forward to our continued partnership and to supporting the amazing endeavors at Burlingame Schools. Please extend our gratitude to everyone involved in organizing this successful event!” reflected All Natural Stone General Manager Juan Vasquez.

A night this glamourous should be captured on film, of course! Caccia Home Services generously provided photo and video booths for the evening, providing tons of fun to guests and memories to take home. Geno and Susan Caccia, longtime BCE supporters, and told us, “As a family-owned business, we believe in investing in the next generation—it’s part of who we are. Supporting BCE means contributing to the success of Burlingame’s schools and students, who represent the future of our community. Over the years, we’ve proudly participated in auctions, sponsored events, and partnered with BCE to make a difference. These opportunities allow us to strengthen the connection between local businesses, schools, and families while supporting the incredible work being done in our schools.”

The heaviest donation of the evening came from Burlingame’s own Guitard Chocolate Company, who donated 400 lbs of gourmet bittersweet dark chocolate for the event! Based in Burlingame since 1955, Guittard treated guests to a tasting during the reception.

Later in the evening, those who found a lucky star on the back of their chairs at dinner won a ten-pound chocolate bar to take home. Known for its commitment to craftsmanship and quality, Guittard’s support not only added a sweet surprise to the Soirée but also demonstrated its dedication to community engagement.

Paper Caper, a cherished local stationary boutique, made a thoughtful contribution to the live auction by donating reusable auction paddles. This eco-friendly gesture added a touch of elegance to the event, while underscoring the importance of sustainability in community gatherings. Their involvement exemplifies how local businesses can make a significant impact with even a small gift, blending practicality with purpose to support our public schools.

With two children in the district, Wild West Carts Owners Nick and Melissa Basso bring both personal commitment and community spirit to their efforts to support Burlingame schools. Wild West helped to kick off the Fund-a-Dream conclusion to the live auction, driving Title Sponsor Disen Cai through the ballroom to the stage in one of their stylish electric golf carts! The Fund-a-Dream became the emotional centerpiece of the night, as paddles raised as pledges came in.

Thank you to our dedicated board members and enthusiastic volunteers for making this event possible. If you weren’t able to attend the Soirée but still want to support Burlingame students, it’s not too late. You can make a donation to BCE anytime at bcefoundation.org/donate. Every gift helps fund essential programs like music, PE, and supports that enrich the educational experience for all BSD students. We’d love to see you at next year’s event. It’s a meaningful (and fun!) way to be part of something that truly makes a difference in our schools.