Mountain Mayhem: The best Flamingo yet

The annual Flamingo fundraising gala for Aspen Education Foundation (AEF) kicked off the holidays with a bang, breaking its previous record of reaching $1.9 million through ticket sales, a live auction, a silent auction, and sponsorships. The sold-out event took place at the St. Regis Aspen on Dec. 7, raising critical funds to support Aspen School District from the Aspen Cottage pre-school to Aspen Elementary, Aspen Middle, and Aspen High, as well as the Aspen Community School.

AEF is a non-profit that supports the Aspen School District and funds programs from reading to robotics to counselors and more, which enhances learning and growth for students of all ages. 

A VIP cocktail reception took place at Snow Lodge followed by drinks and hors d’oeuvres in the foyer of the ballroom. Dinner took place for 450 guests in the ballroom. EKS Events was behind the clever designs and décor to set the theme of Shimmer and Shine this year. At the start to dinner, event co-chairs Sabrina and Stephane De Baets and Allison and Randall Bone welcomed all to the gala followed by a ceremony presided over by AEF board president Paul Sohn and AEF Executive Director Cynthia Chase to celebrate this year’s honoree, Alyssa Shenk. 

Next up was a live auction that was well suited for the generous crowd who bid in support of all AEF does for our community. Backstage, Grammy-award-winning musician Wyclef Jean was waiting in the wings to be the starring act when he offered a live auction package as a last-minute addition. It entailed joining him onstage that night to sing along to “Killing Me Softly,” followed by joining the Fugees on tour in 2025 to sing onstage at whichever arena was to their liking. That went for a pretty penny, all of which goes to AEF and its noble mission. All in all, it was a great night for a great cause.

Learn more online at aspenaef.org.