Gwinnett Daily Post

Special Photo. Many guests of the North Gwinnett Schools Foundation's Big T' Do dressed in costume for the event. Philip Wilcox, left, and his wife, Denise, dressed up like Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons from Kiss. They were part of a group that won best costume at the event, which raises money for the 10 schools in the North Gwinnett and future Lanier clusters.

SUWANEE -- The North Gwinnett Schools Foundation's Big T' Do brought in nearly $82,000 to support the 10 schools in the North Gwinnett and future Lanier clusters.

More than 400 guests, many dressed in costumes, bid on 162 donated items ranging from practical services to exotic vacations at the annual dinner and auction hosted at Bear's Best in Suwanee. The event was sponsored by Suwanee Dental Care.

Nearly $40,000 of the funds raised at the event will be used to provide grants to teachers and students at the 10 schools. The remainder of the money raised will be added to the Foundation's endowment fund to provide for future gifts.

As part of the event's festivities, attendees decorated their themed dinner tables, and many dressed in costumes to match themes of their choice, including Party like a Rock Star, Saturday Night Live, Survivor, Gilligan's Island and Alice in Wonderland.

Prizes were awarded for Best Table, won by Lanier Middle School PTSA for its Lanier Longhorn-themed table, and for Best Costume, presented to the "Rock Stars" group.

Established in 2001, the North Gwinnett Schools Foundation has provided more than $225,000 for grants and scholarships to teachers and students at North Gwinnett High School, Lanier Middle School, North Gwinnett Middle School, Level Creek Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Sugar Hill Elementary, Suwanee Elementary, Sycamore Elementary, T. Carl Buice School and White Oak Elementary.

For more information, visit www.northgwinnettschoolsfoundation.org.