Published: March 07, 2011

Eton Academy Raises More Than $500,000 at 25th Anniversary Gala

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BIRMINGHAM, Mich. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Eton Academy kicked off its 25^th Anniversary celebration Feb. 26, 2011, with a black tie event at the school which raised more than $500,000, including $100,000 in dedicated tuition assistance. The event is the largest fundraiser to date for the independent school for students in grades 1-12 with learning challenges such as ADHD and dyslexia.

NFL All-Time-Greats Howie Long and Phil Simms attended the event as guests of co-chairs Mark and Paula LaNeve. Mark is a former GM vice president and currently is the head of sales and marketing for Allstate Insurance Corp. Both football legends donated auction items to join them for football fantasy trips. Boomer Esiason could not attend the event, but also donated a football experience trip.

The Gala & Auction theme: Celebrating the Discovery of Learning, provided a backdrop for more than 300 guests which included: Eton's founding Headmistress from 1986-2003, Mary Van der Tuin; founding board members and major supporters Jan and Pat Hartmann, Eton's current Head of School, Pete Pullen and numerous Eton Academy families, teachers and alumni.

"This event is an amazing example of the deep community support for different learners," said Pete Pullen. "This is a very special time at Eton as we reflect on the positive stories of our current students, alumni, teachers and families and set our sights on the next 25 years."

Mark and Paula LaNeve were recognized by having Eton's Student Development Services Department named in their honor. The department serves the students' social and emotional well being and is the first department to be named for Eton supporters. The LaNeve's have helped Eton raise more than 1.6 million dollars over the past six years. Their son Drew, a senior at the school, spoke about his success at Eton and his plans to attend college next fall.

More than 30 corporate sponsors participated in the celebration; including major sponsors Leo Burnett - Troy and Chicago, Morley, Turner Sports, Fifth Third Bank, Sewell Automotive, Aspen Marketing Services, CBS Radio, FMR, Maritz, MSG Media, Allstate and TTi Global. Additional sponsors included Austin Financial Group, Discovery Communications, Mark Christopher Auto Center, The Nielsen Company, Penske Corporation, 16 W. Marketing, Autism Speaks, Bacco Ristorante, Blossoms, City Cadillac-Saab-Hummer, ESPN, Ingenuity Group, F.C. Kerbeck & Sons, Kohl's, Kristol Auto Mall, Kutztown Auto Company, The Lighting Guy, Pizzeria Biga, R.L. Polk & Co., Screenvision and Univision Communications, Inc.

About Eton Academy

Founded in 1986, Eton Academy is an independent co-educational day school in Birmingham, Mich., for students with reading, attention and other learning challenges in grades 1-12. The school currently includes approximately 185 students within three academic divisions -- Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. Each class has ten or fewer students who rotate between core subjects, physical education, music and art.

Eton has established a long-standing track record of sending approximately 80 percent of its graduates to higher education each year compared to 13 percent of similar students nationwide, according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD.)

The school is a member of the Association of Independent Schools in Michigan (AIMS); is accredited by North Central Association (NCA); was awarded the Independent School's Association of the Central States (ISACS) accreditation in 1997, 2000 and 2008 and earned National Exemplary School status from the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information about Eton Academy, visit the school's web site: www.etonacademy.org.

Editor's Note: Event photos are available.