More than 1,300 elegant partygoers flocked to Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort Saturday for a night of gaming, auctions and $14,500 in raffle prizes at the VI Montessori School's (VIMS) 31st annual Las Vegas Night fundraiser. "This has turned into the most glamorous and sought-after event on the island," said event director and Montessori parent, Evelyne Nye. "It gets bigger and bigger every year," she said.
Former Montessori parent and blackjack dealer Elton Chongasing said that in the past 12 years, he had never seen so many people attend. He predicted that next year they would have to find more space.
The entire second floor of the hotel's lobby, including the Grand Ballroom and several meeting rooms, were packed with spectators and guests playing blackjack, craps, roulette and bingo.
In order to provide a professional level of blackjack and roulette, volunteer dealers practiced two times a week for two months, Nye said.
Chips won at the gaming tables were then used for buying food and drinks or as collateral in bidding on auction items.
Above the buzz of an animated crowd could be heard the rapid ramblings of professional auctioneers George Blackhall and Jill Doherty. A Mediterranean cruise, hotel getaways, golf lessons, jewelry and artwork were just some of the more than 150 goods and services auctioned off.
All of the items were either donated by local and off-island businesses or made in the classroom by Montessori students. Proceeds will go to the school's financial assistance program and to finance various campus projects such as the new soccer field. In the case of items made by students, money raised will go back to the classroom to pay for field trips or new computers, Nye said.
"A lot of money also gets pumped into the local economy," said Nye. The printing of tickets, flyers and booklets associated with Las Vegas Night is all done locally. She said, "Women spend hundreds of dollars on dresses, accessories, nails and hair." Soft Touch boutique owner Karen Mo said that the event sends clients flocking to her Port of Sale women's clothing store. Mo, who also volunteered as a blackjack dealer, had to rush from her store, where the night's guests were making last minute purchases, to get to the event on time.
This year Montessori hopes to raise over $70,000. "We are grateful to all who donated their time, energy, money, and gifts to make this event the success that it always is," Nye said.
