Montgomery Township Education Foundation (MTEF) Launches First-Ever Tricky Tray to Support Montgomery Schools

January 22, 2026

Nicholas Mistretta

Fundraising night set for Feb. 27 at Princeton Elks Lodge in Skillman

The Montgomery Township Education Foundation will host its 1st Annual Tricky Tray Fundraising Event on Friday, February 27, at the Princeton Elks Lodge in Skillman, offering an evening of prizes, food, and community — all in support of Montgomery Township public school students.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with basket drawings beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, and space is limited.

A tricky tray, sometimes called a basket raffle, combines the excitement of a silent auction with the fun of a traditional raffle. Guests purchase tickets and place them in containers corresponding to themed prize baskets; winning tickets are drawn later in the evening.

For this inaugural event, the ticket price includes:

A light buffet dinner catered by Beniamino’s
One sheet of Level 1 raffle tickets
Access to a cash bar

Additional ticket sheets and higher-level prize tickets are expected to be available for purchase on site.

Organizers emphasize that the evening is about more than just going home with a prize.

The Montgomery Township Education Foundation (MTEF) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting strategic programs that benefit all Montgomery Township public school children. Its mission is to maintain and enhance the high quality of a Montgomery public school education through community funding of innovative and essential educational programs, a close working relationship with the school district, and careful review, evaluation, and financial oversight of supported initiatives.

The Foundation raises money to improve students’ educational experience, acquire supplies and equipment, and support innovative teaching and learning systems across the district. From 2019 to 2024, MTEF-sponsored grants to Montgomery Township Schools have totaled $103,490, directly funding classroom projects, student opportunities, and program enhancements that would not have been possible through the regular school budget alone.

“Your ticket isn’t just a chance to win amazing prizes — it’s an investment in our students,” organizers note in event materials, underscoring the connection between the fundraiser and tangible support in local classrooms.

MTEF is led by an executive board consisting of President Janice Huang, Secretary Jennifer Harris, and Treasurer Meghna Pabbathi. Board members include Lou Gomez, Jaya Gupta, Maggie Kashmir, Sheri Long, Veena Mehta, Grant Moser, and Grants Chair Maryann Post.

With a catered dinner, cash bar, and the excitement of the tricky tray drawings, the Foundation hopes the night will become a new annual tradition that brings together parents, staff, alumni, and community supporters in a shared effort to strengthen local schools.

Tickets are expected to go quickly, and advance purchase is strongly encouraged.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com