I don’t have any kids and I didn’t attend a montessori school (I’m not even sure there was a montessori school where I grew up) so this is not normally something I’d be telling you about what with me being uneducated about it and all. However a really nice commenter sent me an email about this event and she seems so passionate about it I’m excited just to be passing the info along to you.

Montessori School of Louisville (MSL) will hold the first annual Butterfly Benefit auction, in tribute to the shared values of Dr. Maria Montessori and Muhammad Ali as exemplified at the Muhammad Ali Center, on Saturday, February 21st, 2009 (6PM-11PM) at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville.

Proceeds from the Butterfly Benefit will support MSL and provide a significant source of funds for the 2008-9 school year to ensure the continuation of the Montessori education offerings in the Metro Louisville community. In keeping with Montessori’s global community ideals and spirit of service, MSL has chosen for proceeds from the Butterfly Benefit to also support the Amman Imman – Water Is Life project in West Africa.

“This unique event brings together many wonderful and synergistic elements – Amman Imman’s mission to bring water to the nomadic peoples of Africa; the legacy and ideals of Muhammad Ali as depicted in the amazing exhibits of the Ali Center; and the Montessori community ideals, including peace, service, and respect, which we work each day to instill in our students,” said MSL Director Cynthia M. M. Gonzalez. MSL is also honored to welcome to the event His Excellency Aziz Mekouar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the USA . Morocco was the first country to recognize the fledgling American republic back in 1777, and we are proud to celebrate more than two centuries of our two nations’ unbroken friendship with His Excellency on February 21.

Amman Imman (http://waterishope.org) is dedicated to improving and saving lives by supplying permanent sources of water to the people living in the Azawak Valley of Niger in West Africa . Amman Imman founder and Program Director, Ariane Kirtley, is a native of Bardstown , KY , and a former Montessori student. Montessori School of Louisville is the first school in Kentucky to join the Amman Imman effort.

Tickets are $75, contact Lori Wendelin, lawendelin@gmail.com, to purchase tickets.