El Segundo TV: Local Education Foundation’s capstone event celebrates funds raised for schools

by Amy Lieu

Barbara Briney, Director of Events for The El Segundo Education Foundation board, graduated from El Segundo High School. Decades later, she finds herself still in love with education and contributing to the community.

 Briney said while she was a student at El Segundo, she took woodshop, “but that’s not a possibility anymore because the state doesn’t fund it.”

 That’s where the El Segundo Education foundation comes in. The local non-profit organization plans to fundraise close to one million dollars in donations to local schools. Their capstone event of the year, Ed Gala: Party in the Park on a Friday night in spring aims to reach the last hundred thousand dollars for their ambitious fundraising goal. This is also the second year that the foundation is hosting the party at Chevron Park.

 “This is the biggest one, this is the best attended one,” Briney said.

 Carol Pirsztuk, CEO of the El Segundo Education Foundation, said she hopes to raise about $120,000 at the culmination event. She also explained that the sole mission of the foundation is to raise money for schools.

 “This year, we are going to give $950,000 to schools, to fund programs that would normally be cut.”

 Subsequently, the El Segundo Unified School District has lost over $4 million dollars in less than five years, according the El Segundo Education Foundation’s website.

 However, the education foundation has raised money to fund programs such as music, art, physical education and robotics in local schools, according to Briney. The funds are also used to hire counselors, who help students decide what classes to take, Briney said.

 All food, drinks and auction items were donated. The Ed Gala event had about 300 silent auction items and nine live auctions; its proceeds will be donated to schools. There were 23 restaurants and three wineries. 100 percent of ticket sales from the event are also donated to El Segundo schools.

 Briney’s daughter is currently a teacher El Segundo High School, while her 4-year old grandchild will soon be a young El Segundo student. She wants to ensure that her children will have the same opportunities that she had.

 “I think that [the opportunities] made me understand what was possible, what I could come and do and make a difference,” Briney said. “Without those, you miss some of the essence of life.”

 Click here to view this story on the latest edition of El Segundo Magazine.

El Segundo TV: Elderfest honors Older American of the Year, local senior citizens

by Amy Lieu 

 A senior citizen who has contributed to the El Segundo community is honored at the 25th Annual Elderfest Celebration at the Hacienda Hotel.

Elaine Allen is awarded the Older American of the Year, one of the most prestigious honors for senior citizens in El Segundo.

Aside from Allen, the event was also an opportunity to acknowledge the local elderly citizens for their community service and involvement.

Allen said she couldn’t believe she received the award, much less deserved it. “But I got it, and I’m very honored to have it.”

More than 170 attendees celebrated with Allen.

The current El Segundo resident has lived in the city for 55 years, and is active with many local organizations.  

For the Lutheran Church, she has planned various fundraisers like fashion shows.

She is a member of the El Segundo Women’s Club for decades. There she served of the member of the board and raised money for scholarships for the youth, and created art for thank you cards, invitations and brochures for many events.

She has also assisted with many events for the El Segundo Senior Club.

 “This award means a great deal, when I think of the others that have received it in town and to be in amongst that group, it’s just beyond words.”

Friends describe her as having a great sense of humor.

Towards the end of Allen’s speech, she wanted to clarify a rumor that was going around town.

“I am the 2013 Older American of the Year, not Oldest.”

Allen just could not help but to make the whole crowd burst in laughter.  

This story appears near the middle of the latest episode of “Your City, Your News.” You can view it by clicking here.