Cocoa Beach High School Trying to Raise Funds for Badly-Needed Track & Field Upgrades
By Michelle Mulak // November 1, 2019
The Inaugural Cocoa Beach Masquerade Ball will be held at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Nov. 16 to benefit Get On Track
BREVARD COUNTY * COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – It’s official, fall in Florida is upon us.
For many on the Space Coast, the onset of this season means pumpkins on the doorstep, cinnamon apple smells, and the long-awaited reopening of the windows. For Brevard County students and families, fall means football games, homecoming dances, and settling into the new school year.
Competitive school sports are a special part of the middle and high school experience. What’s more, these events also provide an opportunity for schools to generate income for sustaining athletic programs through ticket sales and concessions.
For the young track and field and cross country athletes at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School however, this is an opportunity they’re missing out on. The deteriorated, dangerous condition of the school’s track has prohibited the school from safely hosting on-site events for more than a decade. This means while other host schools in the county are generating thousands of dollars in financial support for their programs, Cocoa Beach’s parking lot remains empty.
A community coalition of parents, students, coaches, teachers, administrators, volunteers, and members of the local running community have set out to change all that.
Together, they’ve formed the Get On Track community initiative. Their goal? To raise upwards of $450K for track replacement and upgrade projects. Get On Track has raised $50,000 as of mid-September.
This November, in partnership with Cocoa Beach Kiwanis Club and the Cocoa Beach Country Club, they’ll host the inaugural Cocoa Beach Masquerade Ball. The event will feature a fancy, dress-to-impress vibe, dinner, drinks, dancing, live music, games, live and silent auctions and more.
“People love to get dressed up,” said Linda Bunting, the Get On Track volunteer who suggested the gala concept. “Giving people a reason to get all glitzy and glamorous AND support their community seemed like a win-win!”
The goal was to think outside the box when it came to raising money for this project. Earlier this year, the group hosted a “Moonwalk-a-thon” in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission. The Masquerade Ball will be the team’s second big event since kicking off fundraising efforts. Next spring, Get On Track will host the first-ever multi-year Cocoa Beach High School reunion weekend.
““Our goal is to find ways to bring the people together for events celebrating the past, present and future of the community we love. We wanted to create something fun and memorable,” said Marlene White, Get On Track’s director. “Something with the potential to bring the local community together, and get them excited about our shared goal of building a new track for these kids.”
What: Inaugural Cocoa Beach Masquerade Ball benefiting Get On Track
When: 6-10 p.m., Saturday, November 16, 2019
Where: Cocoa Beach Country Club, 5000 Tom Warriner Blvd., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Why: To support fundraising efforts of Cocoa Beach High School to replace their old, busted track
Details: Fun, fancy evening featuring a masquerade theme, live music from the Vince Reed Band, dancing, games, auction (live and silent), “taste of Cocoa beach” inspired station style dining, cocktails, keepsakes, raffles and community support. Event is open to all adults 21+. Emcee: Michelle Mulak.
Cost: $75 per ticket, $550 per table (8/table)
Cbhsgetontrack.com / Facebook:@GetOnTrackCocoaBeach / Instagram:@RunCocoaBeach
