Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) hosted its first annual flagship fundraiser on Tuesday, May 17 at the Elks Lodge in Hoboken.

Over 235 guests came together to support the school and enjoy the area’s “Saborlicious!” Spanish and Latin American flavors.

Local restaurants showcased their famous dishes, desserts and drinks, while attendees

enjoyed live salsa music along with a silent and live auction.

The school raised $38,500 toward funding needed to build new classrooms at its existing facility within the Boys & Girls Club Building, located at 123 Jefferson Street in Hoboken.

Muchas gracias to Charritos, Son Cubano, Zafra, La Isla, Biggie’s Clam Bar, The Cheese

Store, Dino & Harry’s, Harvest Cuisine, M2 Sweet & Chic Treats, The Little Grocery,

Bin 14, Mikie Squared Bar & Grill, The Clinton Social, Teak on the Hudson, City Bistro,

The Turtle Club, Eat Drink Hoboken, East L.A., Charlie Massie, Top Shelf Staffers and

Ryan Yacco. Thank you to the advertisers and to the event sponsors East Coast

Spine, Joint & Sports Medicine, Ankle and Foot Specialists of Hoboken, and Duggal

Visual Solutions.

HoLa also thanked its Board members: President Jennifer Hindman Sargent, Vice-President Camille Bustillo, and trustees including Frank Raia, George Duke, Jennifer Austin, Susan Costomiris, Anthony Petrosino and Treasurer Tia Narciso.

Elected officials of the community that contributed to the event or were in attendance included

former Mayor David Roberts, council members Beth Mason, Tim Occhipinti, Michael

Russo and Ravi Bhalla, Hoboken Board of Education members Carmelo Garcia and

Peter Biancamano, Freeholder Anthony Romano and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos.

The HoLa PTO’s efforts were led by Andrea Mayendia and Norma Ramos with tremendous support from an enthusiastic group of parents and a number of dedicated teacher volunteers.

HoLa Co-founder Jennifer Hindman Sargent thanked the crowd at the end of the event. “This has really been a community effort.”

The Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) is a dual language charter school that opened its doors to students in grades K-2 in September 2010 (a grade will be added each year until the school reaches K-5). HoLa offers a traditional core curriculum through instruction in both Spanish and English to children of all language backgrounds. The program utilizes the well-established Two-Way Immersion approach to dual language education with a range of opportunities for creative expression and experiential learning. Students become bilingual and biliterate in a culturally diverse and nurturing environment.