EC Auction Gala 2025 and a big announcement

Exciting news about the future of EC was shared by Head of School Dr. Ruth Kuder at the Auction Gala on April 4 at Westmount Country Club! She announced the launch of the public phase of Eastern Christian’s capital campaign, Building on a Firm Foundation, aimed at enhancing our students’ educational experience.

This campaign will raise funds to help cover the costs of a new wing consisting of six additional classrooms for our upper elementary and middle school students on the Wyckoff campus. Students are expected to be in these new classrooms by the fall of 2026. Dr. Kuder also shared that EC continues to invest in the future through planned giving commitments as part of the campaign.

Executive Director of the Foundation Maura Byrnes announced the campaign’s financial goal of $4.7 million. Since September, leadership donors have already pledged nearly $4.5 million – 95% of goal – including planned gifts for future projects. The Foundation will continue to accept gifts and pledges for the Building on a Firm Foundation capital campaign from parents, grandparents, alumni and other friends through August 31, 2027. She stressed how generous our community is, and she thanked those who have provided gifts during the quiet phase of the campaign. What an exciting time to be at EC!

In addition to this inspiring announcement, the Auction Gala was a huge success thanks to the generosity of our over 350 guests who enjoyed connecting with friends, supporting our school, and celebrating EC.

The night kicked off with a two-and-a-half hour all-inclusive cocktail reception which included a variety of delicious foods and drinks. Guests bid generously on the array of silent auction items which included inflatable paddle boards, a diamond necklace, tickets to sporting events, spa and fitness baskets, purses, and even a chicken coop, just to name a few. The Wine and Spirit Pull tables were very popular, and guests played corn hole for their opportunity to win a Bourbon Basket. New this year, guests enjoyed taking fun pictures with EC props in the photo booth to commemorate their night.

As the cocktail reception ended, guests were invited to take their seats in the ballroom for dessert and the program, which began with a beautiful vocal performance by Addie Peretti, EC alumna and Drama Director. Next, our auctioneer, Chris Ward, took over and led the live auction which included Giants tickets, a stay in Lavalette, a private in-home chef experience, EC favorites like Principal and School Security Office for a Day, a vacation to Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail, an all-inclusive dining experience at Drowned Lands Brewery, a Rockefeller Tree Lighting experience, and tickets to see comedian Nate Bargatze.

After the live auction, guests were invited to help Fuel the Fund to raise money for scholarships. This was once again a moving moment in the evening when over $60,000 was raised in just a few minutes to help make Christian education possible for more families.

See the video that helped make this happen and join the success of the evening by supporting Christian education at EC by donating to scholarships on our website.

Ultimately, more than $308,000 was raised throughout the night to support our mission at EC. Praise God for his provision!

Guests left the Auction Gala with a treat – a sugar cookie designed and decorated as a construction hardhat to celebrate Building on a Firm Foundation!

Thank you to all who attended, celebrated, prayed, volunteered, sponsored and donated! We’re so incredibly grateful for the support from our entire EC community.

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Thank You Sponsors

Gala Sponsors
Ahoy Telecom
Bushoven LLC
Heerema Company
KV Builders LLC
Martin Orthodontics
Passaic Bergen Water Softening
Regency Wealth Management
Reiner Group Inc.

Auctioneer Sponsor
Wayne Tile Co.

Reception Sponsors
Christian Health
Columbia Bank Foundation
Kuiken Brothers Company, Inc.

Wine & Spirit Pull Sponsors
Groenewal Electric, Inc.
Wiegers Inc.

Signature Drink Sponsor
Align Real Estate Team, Katie Tarta & Betsy Boggia

Golden Eagle Sponsors
Green-way Irrigation
Hilb Group
Sietsma Landscape Operations, Inc.
SLim Dental
Veenstra Family Dental

School Spirit Sponsors
Abbey Carpet & Floor
Bosland’s Flower Shop
Jeffer, Hopkinson & Vogel
Katie Rose Inspired
Mr. Photoboothnj