Ziona Friedlander founded T.H.E. (Together Helping Education) Foundation in 2010 in the hope of building a coalition of parents, residents, businesses and cities to find new funding sources for the Las Virgenes Unified School District.

By all accounts, Friedlander was well on her way to reaching her fundraising goals. She incorporated T.H.E. Foundation in December 2010, signed an agreement with Las Virgenes officials in 2011 and, with help from like-minded parents, moved forward with plans to host a wine festival and auction this June that is expected to become a yearly money-maker.

But the foundation’s board of directors had other plans for the organization and asked Friedlander to step down in October.

“Without any significant revenues raised and a lack of strategic vision to get us there, it was with much discussion and soul-searching that we decided a change in leadership was necessary,” said Marc Hernandez, current board president.

Friedlander said she and the board had different philosophies on how the foundation should operate.

“My philosophy is that I took the word ‘together’ (in the foundation’s name) very seriously and literally,” Friedlander said. She envisioned the foundation reflecting every segment of the school community and the community at large.

Hernandez said the foundation’s mission remains the same: “To unite businesses, corporations and residents throughout our community to provide sustainable and consistent funding to the 15 public schools in the Las Virgenes Unified School District.”

Friedlander has taken a philosophical view of the changes in the organization she envisioned.

“This is what happens with boards,” she said. “It’s really a challenge to put something like that together. This is not a negative thing. This is just something that happens when organizations grow and evolve.”

She added that she plans to remain involved with the district “in whatever capacity I can.”

Hernandez, too, is focused on the future. He said the foundation’s board has met with Superintendent Donald Zimring, Dep. Superintendent Dan Stepenosky and school board members several times over the past month.

“We are working to better understand the challenges the district faces in order to better educate and inspire the community to act,” Hernandez said.

As for Friedlander, Stepenosky said she is “amazing.”

“We need and want her to stay involved,” he said.

LVUSD board member Jill Gaines said she’s certain that Friedlander will stay involved in the community and the school district.

“She’s a tremendous individual,” Gaines said.

T.H.E. big event

As for T.H.E. Event, the foundation’s board has made strides in bringing the community together for an evening of food, wine and entertainment.

Stepenosky said the foundation has a “terrific team” that is ready to host a successful event.

“It’s really exciting,” he said. “ In 11 years in Beverly Hills, I’ve seen what a high functioning foundation can do. For a school district like Las Virgenes, a foundation is critical.”

Gaines said the board is dedicated to making the June event a success.

“We’re planning on this being our signature event every year,” she said. “We’re really off to a fantastic start.”

T.H.E. Event will be from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Sat., June 9 at the Calabasas Tennis and Swim Club. The tennis courts will be transformed into walkways leading guests into the party with lounge areas, tasting tables and an auction area.

The Band From TV will entertain guests throughout the evening. Band members include television actors and other celebrities who share a love of music. Chris Harrison, host of “The Bachelor/Bachelorette” and an LVUSD parent, has been selected as the master of ceremonies for the evening.

Three wineries have signed up so far: Caymus Vineyard, Silver Oak and Cakebread Cellars. Brent’s Deli is the first restaurant on board.

According to information supplied by the foundation, 15 tables have already been sold at a total of $60,000.

The auction committee is beginning to collect items for T.H.E. Event’s live and silent auctions. Among other things, the group is seeking tickets for sporting events and concerts, fine jewelry, weekend getaways and the use of luxury vacation homes.

“This is a big idea but not a new idea,” Hernandez said. “We want our community to know that other like-minded districts . . . created education foundations almost 30 years ago and have been incredibly successful in raising significant revenue on an annual basis to maintain the highest educational caliber and reputation for their school districts.”

To donate auction items, sponsor a table or contribute to T.H.E. Event in other ways, visit www.theeventparty.org.