The San Gabriel Educational Foundation (SEF) announced today that it has received a $26,000 donation from the Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel Hotel, located in San Gabriel, California. This gift marks the second annual significant gift to SEF from the Hilton, with the Foundation receiving a $25,000 donation in December, 2010.

This donation to SEF will help support the Foundation’s “Fund the Gap” Campaign, currently underway. With a goal of raising $150,000 by next June, “Fund the Gap” is targeted to help San Gabriel schools bridge the financial gap created by the state education budget shortfalls. The Campaign is earmarked to fund K-5 music instruction, elementary visual arts instruction, a new performing arts curriculum at Jefferson Middle School, college counseling support at Gabrielino High School, and many other vital programs and curriculum at all eight schools in the San Gabriel Unified School District (SGUSD) for the 2012-13 school year. All K-12 students in the District will benefit from the "Fund the Gap" campaign.

“As a local business, we understand the importance of partnering with and supporting our San Gabriel public schools, and giving back to the San Gabriel community," stated Carl Bolte, General Manager of the Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel. “We are thrilled that all students in the SGUSD will benefit from our donation and from SEF’s ongoing support of educational excellence for our San Gabriel schools.”

With this donation, the Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel will once again become the 'Valedictorian/ Presenting Sponsor' for SEF's upcoming gala dinner, called "SEF-APALOOZA!" The second annual fundraising dinner and auction will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at the Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel, and will feature fine food, music, silent and live auctions, and dancing to the “Grateful Dads.” What’s more, the Hilton’s $26,000 gift signifies their inclusion in the recently launched SEF Business Alliance, which provides local businesses value-added promotion in return for their financial support of San Gabriel Unified schools.

"This donation from the Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel signifies their commitment to our local community and their belief in our excellent public schools," said 2011-12 SEF President Lori Husein. "We are thrilled with their generous gift and look forward to continuing our successful partnership."

SEF's "Fund the Gap" Campaign will raise funds for a variety of programs and curriculum at San Gabriel's public schools in the 2012-13 school year, including:

All Elementary Schools • K-3 Music Instruction -- Fully funding a standards-based curriculum for all Kindergarteners, 1st, 2nd

and 3rd graders at all five elementary schools • Visual Arts Instruction for all 2ndand 3rdgrades at all five elementary schools • Recorder program (4thGrade), and Band/Orchestra program (5thGrade)

Jefferson Middle School • New Performing Arts/Drama Curriculum/elective • Staffing Support for new JMS Media Center • A VID Program

Gabrielino High School • College Counseling Program • After-school Staffing Support for Library • A VID Program • Mock Trial, Speech & Debate and Future Business Leaders of America Teams

The San Gabriel Educational Foundation is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for San Gabriel's students by building community involvement and raising funds for the San Gabriel Unified School District. SEF is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization and the primary fundraising partner of the San Gabriel Unified School District.