Each year the MBEF Board works together with Manhattan Beach Unified School District leadership to determine an immediate need to focus on during the Paddle Raise. Past initiatives have included math, STEAM, and visual arts. This year's Paddle Raise will focus on bringing our educators back to the classroom. Learn more below.
Education is the key to success and the foundation for building a better future.
That is why it is crucial to instill a lifelong love of learning in our students from a young age. A passion for learning not only helps individuals achieve their full potential, but it also fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills that are essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world.
Our Manhattan Beach schools are known for being exceptional — not only because of the opportunities and classes that are offered, but because of the people who teach them. These are the role models who dedicate themselves to inspire and empower our children to learn. The English teacher who encourages a student to read a novel from a new genre. The PE teacher who encourages students to strive to test their limits. The Counselor who suggests an unexpected elective that helps direct a new life passion. The Librarian who opens her door as a safe space to explore the world through books. The Teacher who challenges his students to go beyond the standard materials to elevate their learning. These educators are the backbone of our education system — their passion, dedication, and expertise are invaluable to the growth and development of our children.
Recent cuts forced by the limited state budget are going to impact the experiences our children have with these important educators next year. Let’s work together and commit to bringing our educators back to the classroom. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every child in our community has the opportunity to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.
Raise your paddle high in support of our Educators who instill a lifelong love of learning!
2024 Paddle Raise Donors
ABAR Foundation
Kerry & Mark Aguero
Ashley McCarthy & Bret Barker
Lisa Bennett
Lauren & Erik Benny
Liz Gallucci Bird
John Bowes
Shannon & Terry Boyle
Vanessa Beer & Gabriel Brakin
Emily & Mike Brunick
Lauren & Kasey Burke
Irene & John Gonzalez-Castillo
Alice Kuo & John Chang
Christine & Harrison Clay
Jennifer & John Cochran
Stacey & Bill Corvalan
Jessica & Bryan LaCour
Diana & Radu Comas
Jennifer & Bryan Croft
Ben & Maribeth Cunningham
Angela & Malcolm Davies
Angela & Jake Dax
Heather & Dirk de Roos
Lana Choi & Kurt Decko
Madhuri & Puneet Dhawan
Brenda & Chris Diep
Courtney & Bill Dramis
Stephanie & Ori Dugary
Catherine Gunther & Alistair Farquharson
Nadine & Gary Flam
Anna & Darrin Frankel
Michelle & Alan Franz
Kim & Jon Friedman
Kimberly & Matthew Friesl
Stacey and John Fundingsland
Meghan & Grover Geiselman
Amber McGovern & Scott Gelber
Susan & Judd Gilefsky
Robyn & Jason Glasgow
Jan Rhees & Michael Grady
Cathey & Tim Graves
Brenda & Bruce Greenberg
Marian Guirguis
Leena Rao & Suneel Gupta
Audra & Mike Hatch
Betty Wei & Brent Hawkins
Heather & Bob Hoffman
Melissa & Scott Holcomb
Jennifer Pham-Hott & Douglas Hott
Michelle Shih & Jethro Hu
Shannon Ward & Cameron Hull
Trisha & Michael Husson
Jennifer Huynh
Melissa & Sal Iacono
Kelly & Scott Irwin
Kathleen Paralusz & Brad Jacobson
Nancy & Chris James
Caroline & Douglas Johnson
Lauren & Michael Johnson
Kimberly & Christopher Jones
Myriam & Kristofer Jones
Cinthia & Peter Joyce
Kate & Britt Joyce
Emily & Ryan Kaplan
W&a & Chuck Kaminski
Vivian & Matthew Kelly
Pinky & Jim Kottoor
Anicia Mendez & Adam Krikorian
Christy & Andy Kubitz
Jill & Joe Lamkin
Amy & Bill Lange
Lemonade Stand Pacific 4th Graders
Dawnalyn Murakawa-Leopard & Dan Leopard
Charlotte & Russ Lesser
Nedda & Scot Lewers
Erin & Steve Levin
Lily Fong & Aaron Lowenberg
Ellen & Alex Lubman
Kristen Lukas
Dana & Keith Lupton
Lesley & Brett Lyon
Hilary & Rob Mahan
Hava & Jason Manasse
Romina & Jeffrey Manson
Cindy & Jaime Marian
Stephanie & Mark Maruyama
Kristin & Nathan Megaw
Shivani & Raj Mehrotra
Valerie & Paul Mellinger
Marissa & Ben Messer
Lauren & Ryan Miller
Lauren & Scott Moffat
Nayantara Kumar & Munish Mohendroo
Diane & Richard Montgomery
J.P. Morgan
Daniel Norville, Paradise Bowls, LLC
Brenda O’Leary
Cathy & James Oh
Jessica Kase & Christopher Olness
Jeanne & John Oshiro
Jennifer & Alejandro Otero
Stephanie & Rupert Parkes
Sally & Jason Peel
Colleen & CJ Pipkin
Jan & Chet Pipkin
Heather & Frederick Prelle
Susan & Todd Purdy
Lisa & Adam Quarello
Tiffany & Dave Quick
Christine & Andrew Rawson
Tara & Matthew Riley
Leah & Greg Rodgers
Nathalie & Jim Rosen
Caneel & Roy Rosenthal
Donna & Gary Rosenthal
Alison & Scott Rosenthal
Lisa & Afshin Safa
Bonnie & David Schwartz
Lan & Desmund Shirazi
Diana & David Skaar
Jean Slater
Angie & Jared Smith
Tara & Scott Sorensen
April & Roger Spencer
Melissa & Rod Spiegel
Kathy & Chris Stahl
Wesley Steffens, Vineyard 7&8
Lisa & Tom Stekol
Ronnie & Adam Sullins
Varona Nikore & Bhavik Thakkar
Sheryl & Jeff Thaler
Liz & Tim Tyndorf
Elisabeth & Michael Unton
Lena & Bryan Vann
Wysh & Dan Weinstein
Emily & Michael Wells
Janet Ray & Geoffrey Wells
Shannon & Michael Williams
Kathryn & Scott Withycombe
Bea & Larry Zimbalist
