The second annual Shark Fund event includes poker, dancing, barbecue and plenty of luxury auction items.
By Jonathan Friedman / Assistant Editor
The volunteer-supported nonprofit group that keeps Malibu High School afloat is planning a wild night of fun and games in its lone major fundraising event of the year. The Shark Fund will hold its second annual Texas Hold ‘Em & Texas Hoe Down on March 2, but this time it will take place at a larger venue with a bigger crowd expected to attend.
The Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament, which will take place at Calamigos Ranch, promises big prizes for the top players. The winner will receive a weekend getaway to either Big Bear Mountain or a ski resort (at press time, it was still being determined which one), the runner-up will earn a stay in a Las Vegas suite and the third-place finisher will collect a selection of wines from Malibu growers.
The night will also include a craps table, Western-style barbecue, music and dancing, a mechanical bull and a silent and live auction, with all the money going toward the Shark Fund, which supports Malibu High School, supplementing many areas at the school such as booster programs, the PTSA, arts programs and supplies.
“It’s our one fundraiser,” said Shark Fund board member Laura Rosenthal. “We really want the whole community to come, whether they have children at Malibu High School or not. They are going to have a fun time, plus it’s for a really great cause.”
Rosenthal said items that will be up for auction include a guitar signed by Tom Petty, a vacation in a beachfront Hawaii house, a European trip, sports tickets and racecar lessons by a professional driver. There will be many other items in the mix.
Last year’s event drew a crowd of approximately 100 people. Rosenthal said she hopes this year to attract about 250 people. Invitations were sent out for the event last week.
The Shark Fund was founded in 2003 and consists entirely of volunteers who work to raise money for Malibu High students in grades six through 12. This past year, the organization purchased new lockers for the students. The Shark Fund also annually supports a variety of things, including the entire budget of the PTSA.
“We fund Arts Angels [the booster club that supports art programs at the school], the athletic boosters, and just about everybody and their brother,” said Mary Hughes O’Leary, who is organizing this year’s fundraising event. “The Shark Fund also pays for books, microscopes, teacher training and a lot of other things.”
The March 2 event begins at 6 p.m. Reservation forms can be obtained at the Web site www.TheSharkFund.org. Questions and any other information can be obtained by contacting Hughes-O’Leary at dailingerdesigns@malibuonline.com