Derby Benefit Nets $35,000 for Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri

ST. LOUIS –An evening of Kentucky Derby inspired fun and fundraising generated $35,000 for the Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri. About 130 people decked out in traditional Derby attire, attended CEAM’s first Kentucky Derby Party and Benefit, which featured a silent auction and mouse races.

Those attending the Derby benefit, held Friday, May 6, at St. Francis Xavier Church in St. Louis, included Bill Coppel , David Butsch, Allen Icet, Rachel Keller Brown, Kathy Fulton, Kat Cunningham, Judge Jimmie Edwards, Shonagh Clements, Eric Felty, Brad Wright, Keith Brooks, Angela Brooks, Tony Palazzolo and Kristin Lappin. Peter Franzen, CEAM’s new director of development, was on hand to meet many CEAM supporters for the first time. The evening featured a moving presentation by CEAM board member Edward R. Weber III.

Tom Sudholt, who was the weekday morning drive announcer for KFUO-FM, was the emcee for the evening.  The auction items included artwork by students from Churchhill Center and School for Learning Disabilities and Logos School, a three-course Italian wine dinner for eight at Remy’s Kitchen and Wine Bar, and cocktail party for 50 at the home of Kevin and Patti Short.

The proceeds will go toward CEAM programs that offer financial aid and parent training program for parents of children with special needs. CEAM is a non-profit organization focusing on ways to improve and expand on high-quality education choices for all Missouri children, with an emphasis on those who do not learn in a typical classroom setting.

The Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri , based in St. Louis’ Central West End, is a non-profit 501c3 organization and supports individualized learning opportunities for all children through issue resolution, community education, and civic engagement.