Three Decades of Grant Funding Celebrated
Chatham Education Foundation
Over 150 Chatham residents “danced through the decades” to mark 30 years of educator grant funding for Chatham’s six public schools by Chatham Education Foundation (CEF). Past and present CEF trustees and friends, school district leaders, teachers, Board of Education members, Township and Borough Leaders came together on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 at Park Avenue Club. This special evening was designed to celebrate the ingenuity of the many grant recipients who have brought innovative programs to Chatham’s public schools and the donors who make it possible.
Guests enjoyed food, live music by Roses in Stereo, silent and live auction, and a video montage of CEF grants in action through the years. Chatham Township Mayor Stacey Ewald and Chatham Borough Council member Justin Strickland were on hand to present CEF with proclamations to commemorate its positive impact on the Chatham school community over three decades. Past CEF Presidents Amanda Feeman and Sally Allen along with Endowment Founder, Alan Routh, joined CEF President Laura Bojanowski for a champagne toast to “thank donors for investing in our six district schools so they continue to be a source of pride for our community for the next 30 years.”
A successful event like this does not happen without the support of the community. CEF would like to thank the community for their generous support of “Dancing Through the Decades”. Funds raised will go a long way in facilitating 21st century learning and preparing our Chatham school children for the future.
“I have had the pleasure of serving as a trustee for CEF and working with the best volunteers in our community,” said Andrea Caserta, CEF’s Chair of Events and the 30th Anniversary Gala Committee, “we are extremely proud to have organized such a successful event to celebrate 30 years of educational excellence for Chatham public schools.” The Gala Committee included Bethany Gianusso, Jennifer McNally, Zahrah Khan, Laurie Hekmat, Cheryl Whitney, Laura Bojanowski, Priya Voleti, Kim Kelly, Emily Wurdemann, Jun Quon, Erik Metviner, Puja Swamy, Ananya Holland, Cristina Antenen, Hira Imran, and Tatiana Birkland.
The CEF Board of Trustees would like to thank its “Dancing Through the Decades” underwriters led by Debbie Woerner Real Estate Team of Coldwell Banker Realty, Dr. Barbara Fodero of Chatham Orthodontics, and American Express as well as Scoops and Brian Siegel Architects. CEF also extends its gratitude to Chris Tomaino for serving as our Auctioneer, Summit Soundz, the UPS Store of Summit, photographer Christopher Routh as well as Woodland Bakery for designing a beautiful and delicious 30th anniversary cake for the gala.
Local merchants and vendors donated over 70 silent auction items. The hottest auction items were “Porsche for the Weekend” donated by Paul Miller Porsche, tickets to see The Outsiders on Broadway, VIP MetLife Stadium tour passes, autographed Taylor Swift merch, a NASCAR experience, and a Taco Bar Fiesta for 20 by Mexican Spice. Other local auction donors included: Arminio’s Italian Corner, Art With Heart Designs, Bar Method of Madison, Bloomers, Blossom Asian Bistro, Blow in Blow Out, Bottle Hill Tavern, Centercourt Athletic Club, Central Taco, Chatham Fish & Game Camp, Chatham Sandwich Shop, Chianti Pizzeria, Club Pilates, Collected Living Co., Creatif, Delsandro Window Cleaning, Dance Innovations, Diptyque, Esperanza Salon & Spa, Extra Innings Hanover, F. Gerald New Jewelers, Fleur de Sel, Healthy Italia, Chatham Hickory Cinema, Hickory Tree Pizza, Innovation Foundry, Liberty Sciences Center, Lifetime Fitness, Lucky Locks, Lusso Nails, Mayo Performing Arts Center, McHale’s Basketball Academy, Megan Pisano Designs, Minisink Swim and Tennis Club, Mitsuba, Mr. A Camp, Museum of Early Trade & Crafts, Neiman Marcus Groups, Purple Aardvark, Rad Theatricals, Radiant Waxing, Roots Steakhouse, Scream Truck, Restaurant Serenade, Situation Interactive, Sonny’s Indian Kitchen, Sorriso Kitchen, Spring Beauty Spa, STA Soccer, Stay Salon, Stirling Tavern, Sugar Rush, The Chatham Club, The Coder School, Tito’s Burritos, Tokyo Sushi, Two Fields Bakeshop, Turtle Back Zoo, USA Sports Group, and Village Hardware.
About the Chatham Education Foundation
The Chatham Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. The mission of the Foundation is to support educational excellence in the School District of the Chathams through parent and community donations. In close partnership with SDOC and school administrators, CEF supports innovative and creative educational programs and special projects that are designed to enrich the mind and body of the 3,600+ K-12 students enrolled in the SDOC’s six public schools. Since its inception, the Foundation has funded $1.7 million in grants and scholarships to the district. Individuals interested in learning more about the Chatham Education Foundation, or financially supporting its efforts, are encouraged to visit chathamedfoundation.org.
