Information contained in this article was provided by the Westwood Washington Township Education Foundation.

Since its establishment in 1991, the Westwood Washington Township Education Foundation has raised funds to enhance the quality of education in the Westwood Regional School District through improving the learning environment, promoting educational excellence, sponsoring cultural and educational opportunities and increasing interaction between the schools and community. To date, the foundation has donated materials and equipment to the schools and awarded faculty mini-grants to establish innovative programs in science, reading, math and the arts.

The independent, nonprofit organization will host its first annual gala, “Building a Future of Excellence,” Thursday, Feb. 28 at Seasons in the Township of Washington . The foundation committee has been hard at work planning the event that will honor one individual from each of the district’s seven schools with the “Dedication to Excellence” award as well as township resident Robert Schroeder, who will be honored as the foundation’s, “Distinguished Community Member.” Staff members honored will be Gina Crush, Berkeley School; Beatrice Franchina, Jessie F. George School; Ronald Bakalian, Ketler School; Arline Rosenberg, Washington School; Paul Levesque, Brookside School; Susan Radoslovich, Westwood Junior High School; and Rosanne Dipasquale, Westwood Senior High School.

The talents of the district’s music students will be showcased during the cocktail hour that begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a five-course dinner, open bar and a silent auction. Prizes include goods and services, jewelry, sports memorabilia and tickets, vacations and weekend getaways.

The event will celebrate the district’s achievements and pay tribute to several individuals, but it is also a major fundraiser for the foundation, which plans to purchase “smart room technology” including interactive “white boards” and document cameras for the district. Brenda Cirillo, president of the foundation, said she hopes to raise funds through the sale of sponsorships. “There will be four levels of event sponsorships: Platinum at $5,000; Gold at $2,500; Silver at $1,000; and Bronze at $500. Each event sponsor’s name will be prominently displayed on easels throughout the ballroom.” Sponsors will receive complimentary space in the program, commensurate with the level of sponsorship.

Ads in the program are also available: full, half, quarter, one-eighth page ads and one-line boosters are available for $300, $150, $75, $25, and $10 respectively. “We are also offering sponsorships of the gala itself,” Cirillo said. Sponsors of the cocktail hour at $2,000; the dinner at $10,000, the open bar at $4,000 or dessert at $2,000 will have their names prominently displayed on easels throughout the ballroom and an announcement will be made thanking the donor.

The foundation is soliciting the support of the local business community and that of individuals to help meet the organization’s goals. Cirillo said, “This is an exciting time for our school district. Many significant positive events have taken place recently and we are celebrating our collective commitment to excellence in education.”

For tickets or to become a sponsor, call Beth Dell at 201-594-9730 or pick up an invitation, which contains sponsorship and ad journal information, at the Westwood and Township of Washington public libraries. Tickets are $75 per person. Journal ads should be submitted by Feb. 20. The foundation is a 501 (c)3 charitable organization; donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Some of the foundation’s other initiatives include participation in the national, “Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25” children’s safety campaign and an upcoming 5k fundraising race.   For more information about the foundation and the gala, go to www.wrsd.org. On the home page, click on “Our District” and then select “Education Foundation.”