Benefit Dinner & Auction

17th Annual MATES Benefit Dinner & Auction

🌙✨ You’re Invited to an Evening in Old Havana! ✨🌴

Step into the festive energy of Old Havana at our 17th Annual MATES Benefit Dinner & Auction — where generosity and celebration meet under the stars.

📍 Spanish Hills Country Club

📅 April 24, 2026 (Friday)

🕒 6:30 pm

Inspired by the vintage charm, music, and romance of 1950s Havana, this special evening brings our community together for dinner, dancing, and exciting live & online auctions — all in support of MATES! 💃🕺🏽

🌴 Tropical Elegant Attire Encouraged!
🍽️
Savor a Gourmet Meal. 🍸
🎶
Be Swept Away by the Music & Festive Spirit.
💖
Make a Lasting Impact!

Secure your seat at MATES‘ biggest fundraiser of the year. Together, we’ll raise the bar — and the future!

* Kindly note that all ticket purchases are non-refundable.

Event includes:

🍸 Cocktail hour (no-host bar)

🍽️ Seated dinner program outdoors 🌴

🎶🎤 Live Music 🎸🥁

💃🕺🏽 Dancing indoors

💖 Live & online auction


📣 We’re excited to announce that Havana Nights has officially been chosen as the theme for this year’s MATES Benefit Dinner & Auction on April 24, 2026!

Think warm tropical evenings, 🌙 vibrant colors, lively music, 🎶 and a festive atmosphere inspired by Old Havana. Guests can have fun with the theme by wearing tropical-inspired cocktail attire — breezy dresses, linen shirts, florals, bright colors, and a touch of island flair. 🌴 It’s going to be a beautiful, energetic night filled with great food, live music, dancing, 💃🕺🏽 and of course an exciting auction!

But we need your help to make the auction amazing.

Our auction is one of the biggest ways we raise funds to support our students and programs, and we are currently collecting auction items such as:

• Gift certificates to restaurants, salons, or local businesses
• Local services (fitness, tutoring, home services, etc.)
• Sports or entertainment tickets
• Autographed memorabilia
• Vacation stays or experiences
• Unique items or packages

If you own a business, have a connection to a business, or simply have something fun to contribute, every donation helps!

To donate an item or connect us with a potential donor, please email:
fundraising@matesmcn.net

Thank you for helping make this event incredible for our school community. We can’t wait to celebrate Havana Nights with you! 


🌟 And the winner is.. 🌟

🌴💃 HAVANA NIGHTS!!! 🕺🏽💋

🥂 Vote for Your Favorite Benefit Dinner Theme! 🤵

MCN has 3 fantastic themes to choose from this year! 

🔥❄️ Fire and Ice ❤️🤍

Bold contrasts, sleek reds with shimmering silvers

🌴💃 Havana Nights 🕺🏽💋

Cuban-inspired tropical flair, old Havana romance

💜🤍 Wonderland 🎩💎🐇

Playful elegance, magical!

Make your choice today; results on ParentSquare on March 11th


The success of our auction at the Benefit Dinner depends on the generosity of local businesses and individuals like you. We are reaching out to request a donation – whether a product, service, or gift certificate – for our silent or live auction.

Every dollar raised directly benefits our students through vital programs and enhancements such as classroom technology, campus beautification, and enrichment opportunities including Art@Lunch, STEAM Night, Winter Art Gallery, Run Club, Music Programs, and outdoor equipment.

We thank you for your support! See where your generous donations go.


Sponsorship Opportunity!

Feature your business while supporting this stellar MCN FUNdraiser. Gain community visibility with recognition online, during the event, and on campus — this way, the MATES Community can support you! WIN WIN!!

All sponsorships of $5000 or more get a large banner to be hung in front of MATES all year long!

Questions? Contact Jessica Ng or Lyndsay Rosen: Fundraising@matesmcn.net

2024-25

16th Annual MATES Benefit Dinner & Auction

What a night! It was so amazing to see you all glammed up and dressed to the nines on Friday evening for a celebration full of joy, community, and giving back. From the sparkle and style to the joy and spirit of generosity, last Friday was nothing short of magical. We hope you had as much fun as we did! 
✨ A huge THANK YOU to our incredible Diamond Sponsors for this year’s 16th Annual MATES Benefit Dinner & Auction! ✨ Your generous support helps us make a lasting impact for our school and students! 🙏🏫
✨ Another HUGE THANK YOU to our equally incredible Emerald Sponsors for their generous support and for making this magical evening possible! ✨

DIAMOND: JS & Associates – Jonathan Shepard, Graver Group, Andrew Goldenberg, DDS, Rosen Trust Law

EMERALD: The SILVERTON Family, The NG Family, GEM Mortgage – John Wade Loans, The Farwell Team

Thank you to everyone who has donated their time and resources to make this fundraiser a dazzling and successful event!


❤️ Thank you to everyone who donated to the Teacher Time opportunity drawing! ❤️

We hope all of your kiddos enjoy this memorable experience. 🎉

*️⃣ Winners will be emailed with more details *️⃣

The auction closes tonight—Friday, May 9 at 10 p.m. so set your alarms now. Don’t miss your chance to snag some incredible items, including:

• Private voice and music lessons

• Dreamy vacation getaways (Big Bear, Mammoth, Lake Arrowhead, and Malibu)

• Health and beauty packages

• Exclusive experiences like The Magic Castle and The Price is Right!

• Box seats to see Josh Groban live at the Hollywood Bowl

• Our very own DJ LaGuardia ready to bring the party to your next event

Speaking of awesome MATES staff – don’t forget the brand-new Teacher Time Opportunity Drawing – enter for a chance to spend special time with your favorite teacher!

And did you hear?! We just added a guitar signed by the one and only Kenny Chesney! 

We’re adding new items until the very end, so keep checking back—there’s something for everyone: family fun, gift cards, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and more!

Here’s how you can help us finish strong:

• Place your bids before time runs out!

• Share the auction link with friends and family—every bid counts!

• Keep an eye on your items—you never know when someone might outbid you!

Every dollar raised goes directly to supporting our amazing students, teachers, and school programs.

Let’s finish this fundraiser with a BANG—thank you for your incredible support. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all at the Benefit Dinner!

All auction items will be available for online bidding with no paper bid sheets. 100% of proceeds from the auction will go directly to the MATES Community Network (MCN) to benefit Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School (MATES). Auction items are still being received daily, so be sure to continue checking here for newly added items!


16th Annual MATES Benefit Dinner & Auction

🎉✨ You’re Invited to an Evening of Elegance & Impact! ✨🎉

Join us for a dazzling night under the stars at our 16th Annual MATES Benefit Dinner & Auction — where glamour meets generosity.

📍 Spanish Hills Country Club
📅 May 9, 2025 (Friday)
🕕 6:30 pm

Step into a world of charm, fine dining, entertainment, dancing, and exciting live & online auctions — all in support of MATES and its inspiring mission to empower children through Arts & Technology.

✨ Dress to impress.
🍽️ Savor a gourmet meal.
🎶 Enjoy music & entertainment.
💖 Make a difference.

Secure your seat at MATES’ biggest fundraiser of the year. Together, we’ll raise the bar — and the future!

👉

Join Us in Making This Unforgettable Evening a Huge Success!

✨🪩 Are you a planner? Love getting friends together? Want to host a party for a great cause? 🪩✨

HOST A GRADE-LEVEL PARTY!!
Get your crew together and throw an unforgettable event for your child’s grade! Think Park & Popsicles 🍧, Movie Night 🎬, Bowling with Buddies 🎳, or Arts & Crafts 🎨!

Tickets to your party will be sold at the MATES Benefit Dinner, with 100% of proceeds going back to MATES. 💙🦅✨

Let’s make memories + make a difference while raising money for our school! 🏫❤️

If you want to be involved in this special event regarding, fundraising, donations, and/or sponsorships, contact Fundraising Co-Chairs, Nancy Melgar & Jessica Ng: Fundraising@matesmcn.net


🎉 MCN Wants You to Help Choose the Theme for This Year’s Benefit Dinner! 🎭✨

Vote for this year’s theme!

Make sure you vote for one of these exciting options:

🌟📽️🎞️ Hollywood Glam

🌺🪸🐚 Luau

⚫🎭⚪ Black & White Masquerade

We will be announcing the winner on Wednesday, March 19th, so be sure to get any final votes in if you haven’t already!! 🗳️✔️
We can’t wait to celebrate with you at Spanish Hills Country Club on Friday, May 9, at 6:30 PM! Vote now (on your ParentSquare apps) and help set the vibe for an unforgettable evening! 🥂✨

And the winner is..

🌟📽️🎞️ HOLLYWOOD GLAM!!! 🌟📽️🎞️


2023-24

May 17, 2024 (Friday) |6:30 – 11:30 pm

Spanish Hills Country Club

We appreciate everyone’s contribution in making this a successful evening!

Thank you to our Fundraising Chairs, Arezou Zaidi and Nancy Melgar, and the Benefit Dinner Committee for all their hard work preparing for this event!

Thank you to our MATES family sponsors, donors, and all the supporters!

Thank You to Our Most Generous Sponsors!

Make sure your small (or BIG!) business is listed on our

MCN Family Business Directory so we can find you!


2022-23

May 12, 2023 | Spanish Hills Country Club, Camarillo

Another lovely evening with our MATES Family!
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our fundraiser! 💜
We have raised over $42,000. This whole amount benefits MATES. Thank you, all!!!
A big shout to our MCN Fundraising Co-Chairs, Arezou and Gabby.
You and your team did an amazing event! Thank you!

Thank You to Our Benefit Dinner Sponsors!

DIAMOND: Graver Group
EMERALD: Christian Melgar, Broker Associate – Coldwell Banker Realty | Burt’s Pharmacy
STAFF TABLE: Andrew Goldenberg, DDS | Designers Axess | RF Shaw Interiors | Zaidi Family
RUBY: MCM Financial LLC – Fred Matini
@yamaguchisn – Your creativity and design expertise was just perfect for our Benefit Dinner! Thank you so much for your support. 🌷🥰 #yamaguchiflowers

What a Fun Night with Friends!!!


2021-22


Throughout the Years


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