Press Release - Comics headline fundraiser News Release                                                                              Media Contact: Staasi Heropoulos ELEEF Public Relations, Chairman 413.744.8455; 413.214.4842 National comics headline school fundraiser in East Longmeadow   EAST LONGMEADOW February 2, 2009 - Education is no laughing matter " but it will be when the East Longmeadow Educational Endowment Fund (ELEEF) hosts its 14th annual dinner dance, featuring national comedians from Boston s Comedy Connection. The dinner dance will raise money to benefit all of the public schools in town. This year the dance will be held on Saturday, March 21 at Elmcrest Country Club in East Longmeadow. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, it s critical that we get a big turnout to benefit our children and our schools, said event Chairman Laura Caine. The Dance for Education features the side splitting comedy of Ira Proctor and Pete Costello, two of the Comedy Connection s most successful and renowned comics. The pair has performed with national comic celebrities and appeared on FOX News, ABC Television, and Comedy Central. These are world class comics who will give our audience an amazing, unforgettable show, said committee member Maria D Amico. The comedians may be the featured act, but they aren t the only performers of the evening. The night kicks off with a cocktail hour and music by the East Longmeadow High School Jazz Band at 6PM. With dinner at 7PM, comedy at 8PM, a DJ takes over for dancing from 9PM-Midnight. The dinner dance is an exceptional value. People will have a terrific night of entertainment, a great dinner and all proceeds benefit the schools and children of town, said Caine. There will also be a silent auction featuring more than 50 prizes including a Nintendo Wii, two roundtrip airline tickets, and New England Patriots tickets. Over the past 14 years, ELEEF has awarded $213,000 to the five public schools in East Longmeadow. In 2008, the organization funded $23,000 worth of grants for items such as math and reading materials, anatomical charts and models, video microscopes, robotics programs, Classroom Jeopardy, and materials for a multi media music computer lab.  ELEEF is a non-profit foundation made up of citizens, parents and business people from East Longmeadow. The foundation was formed in 1995 to provide a source of funding to the public schools. Grants are awarded to teachers for items not supplied by the town s budget.  There is an important need for the public schools to have a source of funds over and above what is provided for through taxes. This source of funds can make the difference between an average experience for students, and an opportunity to excel and enjoy something special in education, said D Amico.  Tickets are $55 each and are on sale now. For tickets, call Maria or Damon D'Amico at 526-0859, Marna Shields at 525-9843, Laura Caine at 525-2451. INFORMATION BOX: A Night of Comedy Saturday, March 21, 2009 Elmcrest Country Club 6PM - Cocktail Hour with music by the ELHS Jazz band 7PM " Dinner 8PM - Comedy Show 9PM-12 Midnight - DJ & Dancing FEATURING COMEDIANS Ira Proctor & Pete Costello Tickets are $55 each and are on sale now. For tickets, call Maria or Damon D'Amico at 526-0859, Marna Shields at 525-9843, Laura Caine at 525-2451.