(above) EFG’s Person Making a Difference Award recipient, Adele Lewis, with the members and planners of the Garwood Planning Board. She has been the Planning Board secretary for the past 25 years.
Education Foundation of Garwood Holds Appreciation Dinner
On April 25, 2019, the Education Foundation of Garwood (EFG) held its 15th Annual Appreciation Dinner at The Westwood. Mrs. Crystal Spagnuolo was honored as Lincoln School’s Educator of the Year and Mrs. Adele Lewis was honored as Garwood’s Person Making a Difference.
Mrs. Spagnuolo is currently in her 20th year in the district teaching 7th and 8th Grade Mathematics as well as 7th Grade English Language Arts. She grew up in Garwood and has shared that she, “always felt a special connection with the school and the students in it.”
Mrs. Lewis is the founder of the EFG and continues to serve as a member, which she has done each year in its 15 year existence. Additionally, she spent twelve years serving on Garwood’s Board of Education, eight of those years as President. Currently, she is on the Westfield YMCA Board of Trustees, the Garwood Historical Committee, and is a shelter volunteer at the Jersey Animal Coalition (JAC) in South Orange.
With over 140 in attendance to enjoy the awards ceremony, dinner, tricky tray, and 50/50 raffles, this signature event raised more than $4,700 for the EFG. The generosity of local business contributes greatly to the ability of this event to be a very successful fundraiser. The Foundation raises funds in order to provide scholarships for graduating Garwood 8th Grade students and high school seniors. In addition, the Foundation awards grants to Garwood educators to enhance the curriculum. To date, the EFG has distributed over $56,000 in scholarships and grants.
Candace Kilmer, President of the EFG, expressed, “Thank you to all those who attended the dinner, sponsored a table, or donated an item for the tricky tray. With your help, we were able to make this year’s Appreciation Dinner one of the most successful in recent history and a memorable celebration for the honorees.”
The EFG is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization. It was founded in 2004 to work with the Garwood School District “in pursuit of educational excellence.” You can follow the foundation on Facebook at “Education Foundation of Garwood.”
Submitted by Sara Todisco
(above) Garwood Superintendent of Schools Dr. Teresa Quigley, Person Making a Difference Adele Lewis, Educator of the Year Crystal Spagnuolo, and Principal Mary Emmons.
