A Family-Friendly Fundraiser Supporting Needham Students and Teachers
Starting in 1992, the Needham Education Foundation held an annual Spelling Bee to raise funds to support innovative and enriching educational programs that benefit all Needham public school students. In 2021, the NEF transitioned to a Trivia Bee to better connect with Needham families, as well as local businesses, community groups, and schools. The event continues to engage the Needham community in family-friendly fun for a good cause.
Working in teams of up to 6 participants, you will test your knowledge in a wide range of categories – including Arts & Literature, Entertainment, Geography, History, Needham History, Pop Culture, Science, and Sports! Answers are entered into your mobile device using polling software. We recommend that teams with elementary school students also include at least one to two adults. For questions about the event, please contact Sarah Winig, our Administrative Director, at swinig@nefneedham.org.
The evening is hosted by Mike “Sarge” Riley, a Needham native and veteran Boston sports radio personality. Gather a team of family, friends, or co-workers, and come join us for a lively evening of trivia. “Bee” creative and join the fun!
Due to space constraints in the NHS Cafeteria, room for spectators is limited, though parents of participating students may attend. If you are not participating on a team, we encourage you to watch the event on the Needham Channel, which will be broadcast multiple times in April.
Purchase Raffle Tickets for A Chance to Win One of our Locally-Themed Baskets!
Our popular raffle is back! Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win one of 8 themed baskets. Buy your tickets online by Thursday, March 9th at 9:00 a.m. or at the Bee if you are on a participating team!
The winners will be announced at the end of the Trivia Bee. You do not need to be present to win. The NEF will contact all winners to coordinate delivery of the baskets to winner’s homes (Needham, MA only!) on Friday, March 10th.
Thank you to our generous Needham restaurants and businesses for their donations! Please support them by shopping and dining local!
This year’s Raffle has ended and all winners have been notified.
Basket # 1 Farm To Table (Value $193)
- Gardening supplies from Needham Garden Center
- $50 gift certificate to Volante Farms
- Cookbook from Volante Farms
- Tote bag from Volante Farms
Basket #2 Treat The Kiddos (Value $884)
- Gift certificate for a Sundae Survival Kit from Abbott’s Frozen Custard
- Gift certificate for one dozen cookies from Cookie Monstah
- $100 gift certificate towards a camp or class at Empow Studios
- 2 passes for a month of free swim/family swim at Goldfish Swim School
- $20 gift certificate to Learning Express
- 1000-piece puzzle and two Bee Squishmallows from Learning Express
- Gift certificate for 4 30-min private music lessons at Needham Music
- Gift certificate for painting & firing 2 mugs at The Painting Place
- Gift certificate for a Beast Skills Clinic at Valeo Futbol Club
Basket #3 Pamper Yourself & Your Pooch (Value $730)
- $200 gift certificate for any aesthetic or wellness service at éclatantMD Aesthetics
- Gift certificate for a Signature Facial at Elizabeth Grady
- Gift Certificate for 1-wk Youth training, 1-wk Teen Girl training, & 1-mo Adult training at Gray’s Anatomy Academy
- $50 gift certificate to Serenity Nail Spa
- $100 gift certificate to The Peaceful Pooch
Basket # 4 For All The Sports Fanatics!! (Value $625)
- Autographed Hockey puck from Anton Blidh of the Boston Bruins (Priceless!)
- Autographed Photo of Jakobi Meyers of the New England Patriots (Priceless!)
- Autographed Photo of Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox (Priceless!)
- Autographed MLB ball from Garrett Whitlock of the Boston Red Sox (Priceless!)
- $200 gift certificate towards a Junior Tennis Academy class at Dedham Health and Athletic Complex
- Gift Certificate for 1-wk Youth training, 1-wk Teen Girl training, & 1-mo Adult training at Gray’s Anatomy Academy
- Beanie hat, T-shirt, and Zip-up hoodie from PVCK
Basket # 5 Dine Local Needham (Value $302)
- Gift certificate for one dozen bagels from Bagels’ Best
- $50 gift certificate to COOK Needham
- $25 gift certificate to Hearth Pizzeria
- $25 gift certificate to Hungry Coyote
- $25 gift certificate to The James Pub & Provisions
- $25 gift certificate to Latina Kitchen & Bar
- Two $25 gift certificates to Little Spoon Thai Kitchen
- $50 gift certificate to Sweet Basil
- $25 gift certificate to Sweet Tomatoes
- Gift Basket from Trader Joe’s
Basket #6 Don’t Worry “Bee” Healthy (Value $1,127)
- $25 gift certificate to A New Leaf
- Gift certificate for 3 classes at Barre 3 Needham
- Gift Certificate for 1-wk Youth training, 1-wk Teen Girl training, & 1-mo Adult training at Gray’s Anatomy Academy
- Zoom Teeth Whitening at Great Hill Dental Boston
- Two 60-min private training sessions at PEX Health and Fitness
Basket #7 Celebrate!!! (Value $694)
- Walk with Officer Rocket (Priceless!)
- Gift certificate for one dozen bagels from Cafe Fresh Bagel
- $150 gift certificate to Card My Yard
- $25 gift certificate to Hazel’s Bakery
- One Bee Squishmallow from Learning Express
- $50 gift certificate to Needham Bowlaway
- $20 gift certificate to Needham House of Pizza
- Gift certificate for a 6-wk session of classes at Sew Easy
Basket #8 Wake Up And Go (Value $412)
- Gift certificate for one dozen bagels from Bagels’ Best
- $25 gift certificate to French Press Bakery & Cafe
- $25 gift certificate to Hazel’s Bakery
- Gift certificate for one night and breakfast for two at Sheraton Needham
- $100 gift certificate to Simon and Sons
Thank You to Our 2023 Head of Class Sponsors!
Thank You to Our 2023 Star Student Sponsors!
Thank You to Our 2023 High Honor Roll Sponsor!
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
Refreshments and Balloons donated by Roche Bros.
Flowers donated by Volante Farms
Cupcakes donated by Treat Cupcake Bar
Bee Sign Display donated by Card My Yard
Advertising Sponsors
Brookline Bank, The Bulfinch Group, Carrie Reddish DMD, Chestnut Dental, Condon Realty, Dedham Savings, Fidelity Bank, Glicksman Orthodontics, Gloria Conviser, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Lena Voloshin, Compass, Needham Goes Purple, New England Outdoor Camp, Provider Group, The Ralph Leader Family, Representative Denise Garlick, Rockland Trust, The Varano Realty Group
School Team Sponsors
Ann MacFate, Broadmeadow PTC, Copley Motorcars Corporation, Eliot PTC, Mitchell PTC, Needham Finance Committee, Needham School Committee, Needham Women’s Club, New England Outdoor Camp, Rockland Trust, Sunita Williams PTC
Thank you to the Needham Channel for recording and broadcasting the Trivia Bee.

2023 Trivia Bee
Thursday, March 9, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Needham High School Cafeteria
609 Webster St
Overall Team Prizes:
1st, 2nd, & 3rd place teams
Category Prize:
Best Team Name

Mike "Sarge" Riley
Mike Riley is a Needham, MA native and a proud graduate of the Needham Public school system (Mitchell, Pollard, and Needham High).
A veteran Boston sports radio on-air personality with nearly two decades of experience behind the microphone in the Boston area, Riley, better known to his listening audience as “Sarge,” is currently a sports co-host/anchor on the Revolution, Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics flagship radio station.
He is also a public address announcer at Gillette Stadium for the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution, and the Providence Friars Men’s Hockey team, while also operating his own entertainment and sports memorabilia business.
Make a Direct Donation
If you prefer to donate to the NEF directly, please use the link below. We appreciate your support!
The Needham Education Foundation, Inc. (NEF) is operated for charitable purposes and is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. Donations to the NEF are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please consult a tax advisor regarding specific questions about your individual deductions. Thank you for your generosity.