Star Kids Scholarship Program Holds Annual Fundraiser

Portsmouth, RI - May 11, 2011 - Star Kids Scholarship Program held its ninth annual fundraiser, "Starboard Soiree" at the Carnegie Abbey Club on Saturday, April 30.

The evening was well attended by supporters and Star Kids students as well, who had the opportunity to meet and talk with the guests. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d' oeuvres while bidding on items donated by local businesses and individuals, including golf and fitness packages, gift baskets, wine and dinner offerings, art and handcrafted items, boat charters and Red Sox and Bruins tickets. Patrons enjoyed bidding on live auction items including a dinner at Le Petit Gourmet, a one of a kind necklace from Three Golden Apples, a dinner prepared in the winner's home by Carnegie Abbey chef Joe Menson, and a Seattle Houseboat vacation package. The evening also included a raffle drawing for two EMS kayaks, donated by Kathy Pratt and Turner Scott and won by Denise Roberts of Newport. Timothy Flanigan, MD, founder of Star Kids, presented a hand-wrought 2011 Award of Honor to Gurdon and Kathy Wattles of Little Compton for their steadfast support of Star Kids Scholarship Program for many years. Over $72,000 was raised.

Local corporate sponsors of the event included Kirby Perkins Construction, BankNewport, Behan Brothers, Inc., Coastal Roasters, The Robertson/Calbi Group at Merrill Lynch, DeSisto Law, FoleyCerilli Counselors at Law, NewportFed, Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, Inc., RBC Wealth Management, Salve Regina University, BankFive, Citizens Investment Services, Content and Character Educational Resources, Donnelly's School Apparel, Frosty Freez, Kim Kirby Interior Design, Portsmouth Abbey School, Mikros Technologies and Spencer Cordtsen McCombe, AIA, Architect. In-kind sponsors included The Boston Group, The Carnegie Abbey Club, Fleming and Company, Inc., Rockstar Limo, Viking Tours and The Water's Edge Flowers.

The mission of the Star Kids Scholarship Program is to provideeducational opportunities to high risk, low-income children who have a parent with a history of incarceration and/or substance abuse. This aid includes tuition to effective non-public schools, uniforms, tutoring, after school programs and summer programs and serves the children of Newport County, Fall River and New Bedford. For more information please contact Suzanne Petronello, Executive Director at 401-293-0673 or www.starkidsprogram.org.

Providing educational opportunities to low-income, high-risk children