More than 100 people attended the Rising Star fundraiser Sept. 19 at Black Forest Taphouse, donating more than $3,300 to Living Classrooms Foundation.
Attendees bid on dozens of silent auction items and baskets donated by businesses big and small while eating, drinking and listening to the music of Feather + Flask.
“I am so grateful to all the businesses and people who sponsored the event, donated items, and contributed time and money to support the amazing work of the Living Classrooms Foundation,” said MTM Vice President Taylor Santiago, who surpassed her fundraising goal and doubled the total raised as part of her role as a 2024 Rising Star.
Santiago and other Rising Stars will be honored Oct. 4 at the Maritime Magic event and in print by the Baltimore Business Journal, which is presentation sponsor for the Living Classrooms honor.
Gift boxes handcrafted by the MTM team were auctioned off at the event.
MTM Vice President Taylor Santiago addresses attendees, telling them about Living Classrooms and the work the foundation does.
Fundraiser attendees browse the silent auction items.
Attendees at the fundraiser at the Black Forest TapHouse.
Taylor Santiago and Amanda Dobrochowski
Items in the silent auction.
Taylor Santiago and Karen Falkler.
Handmade infused olive oils created by Taylor Santiago. All proceeds went to Living Classrooms.
A portion of the food and drink proceeds was donated by Black Forest TapHouse.
Taylor Santiago and Zack Dell.
Lisa of Feather + Flask, the band that provided music for the event.
More auction items.
Taylor Santiago and John Huffington.
Attendees peruse auction items.
The wood chip and whiskey infuser basket donated by Brody Transportation.
A handcrafter ring donated by Salt and Sky Studio.
Personal training auction item by Baddie Squad.
Descriptions of auction items.
Thanks to the Event Sponsors
These businesses were instrumental in the fundraiser’s success. “I can’t thank all of them enough,” Santiago said.
- Route 1 Apparel
- Yoga Centric (yoga studio)
- Anytime Fitness (2 Bel Air locations)
- Festival at Bel Air: 5 Bel Air S Pwy, Bel Air, MD 21015 ; (410) 569-0009
- Agora Drive: 21015 Agora Drive, Bel Air, MD 21014; (410) 838-8253
- The Nest on Main (Home goods)
- Allyson Spungin – Baddie Squad (certified personal trainer)
- Investment Watch (financial services)
- The Magic Continues (events)
- Brody Transportation (truck and trailer sales and leasing)
- SC&H (financial services)
- 100.7 The Bay (radio station)
- Salt and Sky Studio (artistic designs)
- Black Forest Taphouse
- Feather + Flask
- Washday Floral
- Benefit Watch
- Cleveland Guardians baseball team players Tanner Bibee, Will Brennan, Sandy Alomar Jr., Steven Kwan
- MASK Skin Care
- Bagley and Rody (law firm)
About Living Classrooms
Living Classrooms Foundation provides hands-on education, workforce development and community programming to children, youth and adults in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas.
Living Classrooms has since 1985 worked with communities and sponsors to use urban, natural and maritime resources to create “living classrooms.”
The Maritime Magic event on Oct. 4 is Living Classroom’s largest fundraiser of the year. In addition to introducing the 2024 Rising Stars — including MTM’s Taylor Santiago — the event along Baltimore’s riverfront celebrates the work of Living Classrooms; features food and drinks from top Baltimore restaurants and caterers; and offers live music.
Tickets to the event can be purchased here (and if you use this link the proceeds will go toward Santiago’s personal fundraising goal for Living Classrooms).
How You Can Help
If you’d like to join Taylor Santiago and the other Rising Stars in support of Living Classrooms, you can do so in the following ways:
Attend Maritime Magic, the Oct. 4 event on the riverfront
Contribute directly to Santiago’s fundraiser here
