Looking back to the roots of the Monte Foundation in 1995:
After much discussion with public agencies, the Rudolph Monte Foundation made Aptos history by holding a major fireworks display. With all the agencies involved deciding that if held during the off-season, it would be permissible, the Foundation was able to hold their very first fireworks display on Seacliff State Beach. That first fireworks display brought in over fifty thousand dollars for the six Aptos schools. In May of 1996, the Monte Foundation introduced another first, the Luau at Deer Park shopping center. This event brought one hundred thousand to Aptos schools.
Originally formed to just help Aptos Schools, the Monte Foundation was being asked by many to open the doors of opportunity to all the schools in the county. The Monte Foundation, once again, was making history with the first ever countywide school fundraiser, their second fireworks display in October of 1996.
With the closing of 2004, The Monte Foundation has distributed more than 2.3 million dollars to schools and youth activities. The money was raised not only by the fundraising events, but also through individual donations. The success of these events depends upon the partnership that has been formed between the business community and the schools. The business community helps sponsor the events and the schools sell the tickets. The children of the schools help set up, serve, and clean up after the events. This represents a true community wide partnership in every sense of the word.
The Monte Foundation was never intended to be a foundation that just handed out grants. It was formed to bring the people together and to teach the children to become part of the community, through their participation in the events. With over 30,000 people at the fireworks display every year the goal of bringing the community together is working.
More important than money, the Monte Foundation events are a throw back to a time in our country where everybody was responsible for our children's education.
We look forward to our 14th Annual Extravaganza - and hope you will all join us once again to celebrate on October 11th at Seacliff State Beach from 1:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. . A meeting for theose wishing to participate in the 2007 Extravaganza will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 from 6:00pm-7:00pm at the Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive Aptos.