The Meadowbrook Farms and Hanaford Elementary School Technology Group recently held its second major fundraiser, A Taste of the World 2.

The event raised over $12,000, which will be used to purchase new technology for two local public elementary schools by filling grants written by teachers and organized by the principal of each school.

Nearly 200 parents, teachers, administrators and community members packed Restaurant Eleven Forty-Nine in Warwick on February 7, enjoying an array of international goodies and perusing the silent auction and raffle tables.

A diverse group of sponsors including the East Greenwich Police Department, East Greenwich Fire District, the University of Rhode Island, Tio Mateo’s Mexican Grille, Dr. John Kacewicz, Brown University Athletics, Besos Tea House, the NFL, Alex and Ani, Wild Harvest Bakery, Walt Disneyworld, Waterfire Providence, and Dr. William Gordon donated over 100 items for the silent auction and raffle. Small businesses from East Greenwich and Wickford were particularly generous with their donations and support of this effort.

Some of the most sought-after items were art projects created by the students specifically for the event including a hand-painted table and chairs, a book case, photographs, ceramic pieces, and framed pictures.

The first technology items purchased as a result of the fundraiser actually arrived prior to the event, as proceeds from ticket sales were used to fund the grant projects that had been flagged as priority items. The Technology Group is working with the schools to order the additional items and put them in the classrooms as quickly as possible.

Board Members Bambi Lukens, Kate Goldman and Nicole Rainville would like to send a big thank you to our volunteers, Neil Marcaccio (Principal of Meadowbrook Farms School), Beth Cauley (Principal of Hanaford Elementary School), and the teachers, parents and community members who supported this effort.

The Meadowbrook Farms and Hanaford Elementary School Technology Group is planning additional fundraising events to benefit the schools and invites anyone interested in getting involved to send an email to egelementaryfundraiserevent@gmail.com. More information will be available in the coming weeks.