The Fountain Hills Unified School District PTO will be putting on its 16th annual Gala in support of FHUSD on Saturday, Feb. 23.

The gala, cleverly titled “Par-Tee Fore the PTO,” will be held at the Desert Canyon Bar and Grill from 6 to 11 p.m.

All parents, teachers and Fountain Hills community members are invited to join in such festivities as raffles, a $10,000 putting contest and both live and silent auctions.

Along with gift baskets pieces of FHUSD history will be available to bid on in the auction with items like handmade quilts from McDowell Mountain kindergarten classes as far back as the '90s.

Money donated to Fountain Hills PTO is not only tax deductible, but also one of the quickest ways to support the schools.

“The Fountain Hills PTO can immediately and directly address any needs that our teachers have,” PTO President Nicole Perkins said. “At the start of each year, the PTO gives every teacher $200 to spend on school supplies, but teachers also will come to our monthly meetings if they need help with funding. For example, we have been helping with paying for the license fees of online learning resources.”

Perkins said the Gala is also an excellent opportunity for parents to connect with each other.

“I think it is so important for parents in the district to talk,” Perkins said. “When my husband and I first moved here we didn’t know anybody. We thought we’d give going to the Gala a shot and we made so many friends that first night. It is unbelievable how much fun we had.”

Tickets for the Gala are currently on sale for $35 until Feb. 8. After that date, ticket prices will go up to $45.

All ticket sales and bidding for the event will occur online. To purchase a ticket as well as to register to bid, go online to fhptogala.givesmart.com.