Gala Fundraiser to Benefit Pinilla Academy

Playa Bonita at Hacienda Pinilla, on the northern Pacific coast, will slip into its best garb Nov. 18 for a Gala Gourmet Fundraiser to raise funds for construction of PinillaAcademyInternationalSchool near Playa Avellanas.

The private school, which will include preschool to fifth grade, will follow the International Baccalaureate program and is designed to foster environmental awareness, according to PinillaAcademy board member Juanita Hayman.

The school is expected to open in September 2007 to serve Tamarindo, Flamingo and surrounding areas, and is reserving 30% of admissions for local students it plans to sponsor through scholarships, Hayman said.

“We don’t want to be an elitist school,” she told The Tico Times.

Proceeds from the gala’s $125-perticket sales will go directly to the cause.

The activity will take place at Los Ranchos on Playa Bonita, at Hacienda Pinilla Beach Resort and Residential Community, and will include an assortment of delicacies from restaurants in the area, silent and live auctions and music by Martha Fonseca.

Donations will be accepted in cash or by check or credit card throughout the event, set to run from 5 to 9 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased in Tamarindo at Papaya con Leche and The Tamarindo News, or by calling 844-1987.