The South Whidbey Schools Foundation will host its annual fundraising gala May 20 at a new venue: Comforts of Whidbey Winery in Langley.

This year’s theme is “Honoring the Past / Shaping the Future,” according to a recent press release.

A 5 p.m. social hour will include live music by the South Whidbey High School Jazz Combo, a silent auction, and displays and videos depicting some of the 20 funded projects this school year.

This year’s speakers include South Whidbey educators Charlie and Debra Davies, their mother Jo (a retired educator), and grandson Joe Davies, a high school senior. They will reflect on their experiences as students and educators in the school district.

High school seniors involved with the Climate Arts Project will perform the acclaimed “Echo Chamber” and “Earth Goes to a Doctor” presentations that they did during Earth Week. A video tribute to Langley Middle School in all its iterations over the years, will include a brief history of South End schools by local historian Bob Waterman. Master of ceremonies Jim Freeman will conduct a lively auction of more than 10 items, including four passes to Disneyland along with two airline tickets, VIP Seahawks Training Camp Experience tickets for two, four Mariners tickets, four Sounders tickets, a round of golf for four at Useless Bay Golf and Country Club, a Georgia Gerber sculpture, a Crab Feed Dinner for up to eight people, two nights at a Belltown condo, tickets to the Paramount Theater in Seattle, local Bed and Breakfast stays, two fold-down bicycles, and more.

Visit www.SWSFoundation.org for a list of auction items, and a link to purchase online tickets.

Since its inception over 21 years ago, the Foundation has awarded more than $245,000 to local classroom projects. This school year more than $27,000 has been funded.