Salisbury Academy

It was an evening of enchantment and a festive showing of community support for education and other local needs at Salisbury Academy’s seventh annual Bloom gala on the evening of Saturday, April 16. Held at the Bob Julian Roundhouse of the N.C. Transportation Museum, Bloom Enchanted brought over 300 community members together for an evening which included “Garden of Eatin’” food and drink, a live auction, and dancing to music from The Shakedown Band.

The setting was a magical one and a true garden of enchantment with an abundance of trees, blossoming plants, and other garden inspirations. Even more memorable than the setting, though, was the powerful outpouring of community support demonstrated at the gala.

In addition to supporting educational programming, scholarships, and community outreach efforts at Salisbury Academy, proceeds from Bloom go toward a number of critical community needs. A portion of the funds raised enable high school students from the Rowan-Salisbury School System to participate in the Broyhill Leadership Conference. This educational opportunity prepares young people for roles as future community leaders and exposes them to new ideas for improving Salisbury and Rowan County.

This year’s Bloom-supported nonprofit was the summer camp offered by Footprints in the Community, an organization with a mission of inclusion for children with special needs to be afforded the opportunities to participate in the typical offerings of the community in which their peers participate.

For the Fund-A-Need portion of Bloom Enchanted, funds were raised to kick-start the creation of Salisbury Academy’s Outdoor Space of the Future, an interactive outdoor learning environment where children will connect with nature, be free to take risks, and become stewards of the earth. Phase 1 of the outdoor space will include walking trails, shade trees, experiential gardens, and a STEAM learning classroom.

“We at Salisbury Academy are incredibly grateful for the heartfelt community support and thankful for our many partners in service,” said Beverly Fowler, head of school.

Next year’s Bloom gala is scheduled to take place on March 18, 2017.

“It’s a special evening for Salisbury Academy and its supporters and for the Salisbury community as a whole,” said Fowler.