Highland Foundation Night Out offers distillery experience

Submitted by Theresa Wright

Guests will be able to go behind the scenes at BKO Distillery, sample and help select Galaxy Royale signature drinks, and support the annual auction as part of the Highland Foundation for Educational Excellence’s October Night Out.

This year’s event will take place Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6-8 p.m. at BKO Distillery and will feature an exclusive, after-hours, behind-the-scenes distillery experience. It will also build excitement for the foundation’s 22nd annual Great Gifts Dinner Benefit, Galaxy Royale: All-In for Educational Excellence, which will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, at The Galaxy Banquet Center in Wadsworth.

The Highland Foundation for Educational Excellence is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to acquire and distribute resources to Highland Local Schools to enhance, enrich and supplement learning opportunities for students, staff and the community.

Since its inception in 2000, the foundation has committed more than $2.5 million in support of classroom grants, scholarships and other educational opportunities benefiting Highland students. The foundation is a separate entity from the Highland Board of Education and is governed by a volunteer board of trustees.

General admission to October Night Out is $25 per person. Guests who provide an auction item valued at $25 or more will receive complimentary admission. Gift cards, themed baskets, experiences, merchandise, services and other items suitable for the Great Gifts silent and live auctions are welcome.

Guests will enjoy specialty drink samples, hors d’oeuvres, raffles and a unique opportunity to help shape this year’s Galaxy Royale celebration. BKO will create four specialty drinks for attendees to taste-test, help name and vote on, with the winning selections becoming signature drinks featured at Galaxy Royale.

Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Medina-based Finest Cravings Catering, whose Chef Cheyenne competed on season 21 of Hell’s Kitchen.

October Night Out is designed both to celebrate the generosity of Great Gifts auction donors and to give others in the community a fun and easy way to become part of the Highland Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event.

“Great Gifts simply would not be possible without the generosity of the businesses, families and community members who donate the items and experiences that make our auctions so successful,” said Highland Foundation volunteer Beena Persaud. “October Night Out gives us an opportunity to thank those donors, welcome new supporters and have a little fun together as we build excitement for Galaxy Royale.”

Proceeds from Great Gifts support the Highland Foundation’s work throughout the year, including innovative classroom grants, student scholarships and educational enrichment opportunities that provide Highland students with experiences above and beyond what public funding alone can provide.

For additional information about October Night Out, donating an auction item or attending the Great Gifts Dinner Benefit, visit highlandfoundation.org or contact events@highlandfoundation.org.