Michael Herklots Annual Birthday Raises $85,000 for Killingly Programs
Annual Birthday Fundraiser breaks record with $85,000 for KHS Learning for Life
Breaking the 2011 fundraising record by $10,000, this year's Annual Birthday Party Fundraiser brought in $85,000 for the Killingly High School Learning for Life Fund, bringing the total amount raised to $330,000 since 2005. Drawing incredible support in donations from the Premium Cigar industry, as well as the worlds of culinary, wine, travel and more... the raffles and auctions were the driving force behind raising tens of thousands of dollars again this year.
Of course, without the support of attendees, there would be no one to buy raffle tickets and bid at auctions. Roughly 200 attendees attended the two events.Over $25,000 in products were donated to help support the events’ raffles, silent auctions and live auctions. Further, two“experiential” auction lots accounted for $30,000 themselves.A “Private Cooking Class with Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian for ten people” fetched $10,000 and a private “Night at the Nat Sherman Townhouse with Chef Emeril Lagasse for 20 people” sold for $20,000. Additional funds were raised in an online charity auction by charitybuzz.com plus an ongoing push for donations.
“I simply can’t express how much I appreciate the incredible generosity I receive, year after year, for my annual birthday parties to support the KHS Learning for Life Fund,” said Herklots, addressing the audience at the annual Career Pathways Celebration at Killingly Hgh School on May 21. Herklots went on to share, “Killingly is my home town. No matter where I live, where I travel... I will be forever grateful to this community. Though i live in New York City- my home will always be Killingly.”All money raised goes directly to the Killingly High School Learning for Life Fund, Herklots' hometown high school alma mater in Danielson, CT.
Huge thanks to all of the attendees, plus support from the following companies:
Altadis USA, American Sommelier Association, Anthony Toliver/Freedom Hospitality, Ashton Cigars, Carnegie Club, Charity Buzz, Normand Chartier, Chinnock Cellars, Crowned Heads, Daniel Marshall, Davidoff Madison Ave, Davidoff Distribution Group, Drew Estate, E.P. Carrillo, Emeril Lagasse, Fuente Newman, Geoffrey Zakarian, Grand Havana Room, Illusione, J.C. Newman Cigar Company, Joya de Nicaragua, La Flor Dominicana, La Palina, La Sirena, LeDu Wines, Lotus International/S.T. Dupont, MATASA, Men's Wearhouse, MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mickey Blakes, My Father Cigars, Nat Sherman International, Pilot Pens, Procigar, RAM sales, Rapture, Rocky Patel, Roosevelt Hotel, SAG Imports, Schrader Cellars, Scott Conant, SEB Groupe, Spiff, Spriteborne, Tabacalera Falto, Tatuaje Cigars, The Sands Casino Bethlehem, PA, Widow Jane, Wine Symphony, Xikar
Here are a few pics from the events:
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| The Carnegie Club April 29, 2013 Photo courtesy of Geoff Sheridan |
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| Auctioning off a bundle of Nat Sherman Celebraciones (not for sale) Photo courtesy of Geoff Sheridan |
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| Auction and Raffle lots galore Photo courtesy of Geoff Sheridan |
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| Blowing out the candles Photo courtesy of Geoff Sheridan |
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| Michael Herklots (l) Tony Darrow (r) Photo courtesy of Geoff Sheridan |
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| The Grand Havana Room April 30, 2013 |
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| Bill Paley auctioning off the first box of La Palina Goldie Laguito No. 5
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