FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Suzanne Marin, CoSA: 619-437-8106
CoSA to Honor
Frank McNeill
At
‘For the Love of the Arts’ Gala
Ever
since he played a shepherd in his kindergarten play, Real Estate
Broker Frank McNeill says he was hooked on the arts. As a child,
the excitement of being involved in the school drama departments
–the roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint—was in
his blood.
Now
as a parent, McNeill looks forward to seeing his children on the
stage. All three of his sons already have the performance “bug.”
Frank Jr., 5, loves to sing to anyone, anywhere. Adam, who just
turned 4, is learning to play the drums. Mitchell, just 2, is
the karaoke kid even though he hasn’t yet learned to read the
words of a song.
“That’s
why I’m glad my boys will have the opportunities that CoSA offers,”
he said
McNeill
is this year’s winner of the “For the Love of the Arts” award,
given to the person who has demonstrated his passion for Coronado’s
CoSA program. He’s being honored for founding, sponsoring and
underwriting the Coronado Home Tour, now in its second year.
The
award will be presented at CoSA’s For the Love of the Arts Gala
Dinner and Auction on March 17 at Loews Coronado Bay Resort.
Under
McNeill’s leadership, the Home Tour has proved an invaluable source
of income for CoSA, a public school-within-a-school on the campus
of Coronado High. The program, open to qualified students from
all over San Diego County, strives to nourish the students’ passion
for the arts by providing them with space, expertise and opportunities.
“New,
innovative fundraising ideas is what makes CoSA thrive,” said
Kris McClung, CoSA director.
The
Home Tour idea was hatched by McNeill and brought to the fore
by Suzanne Marin, who co-chairs the event. She recruited Jane
Brandt and Linda Grady to also serve as co-chairs.
“And
the rest is history,” Marin said. “We appreciate Frank’s generosity
in underwriting this event and we’re thankful that he’s such a
great supporter of CoSA.
“Our
first CoSA Home Tour was a resounded success. We had rave reviews
and we’re looking forward to maintaining what we hope will be
a tradition of excellence.”
Homes
included in this year’s tour, to be held Sunday, April 22 to coincide
with the Coronado Flower Show, are representative of life on the
“island.” Each home is a reflection of its owner’s personal style
and personality, McNeill said.
“We
are extraordinarily grateful to all of the homeowners who participate
in this wonderful fundraiser on behalf of the children in our
community,” he said.
In
addition, new this year will be an Internet auction to bring in
funds to continue the program, said Connie Goldin, a CoSA parent
and board member.
CoSA
officials hope the Home Tour and the auction will help raise $90,000
for CoSA’s programs – and the students whose names someday may
be in lights.
