(above, l-r) Adam Benzel, Andre Reed, Candace Benzel
Watchung Hills Elks & the Andre Reed Foundation Renovate Reading Room
Candace and Adam Benzel recently led a community service project to work with the Andre Reed Foundation to renovate a reading room at the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic, NJ. Buffalo Bills NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Reed established the Andre Reed Foundation to “help underprivileged children reach their full potential and become contributors to their communities.” The goal of Andre’s “Read with Reed” program is “to encourage kids to exercise their minds, tackle good books, and catch the love of reading.”
The project was a culmination of months of organization and collaboration. Candace and Adam are happy to share that through the book drive at Watchung Hills Elks Lodge 885, they were able to collect 839 books, 10 tapes and CDs, 7 learning activity books, 23 puzzles and games, 8 craft projects, and 14 other miscellaneous donations! Overall, the project collected over 1300 books and supplies to benefit the Boys & Girls Club – 250 kids in the summer camp program and 1100 kids that use the club throughout the year. On the day of the project, 20 volunteers spent 5 hours renovating the room and sorting the books for a total of 100 hours of work. And that doesn’t include the efforts of local Elks John Pizzigoni and Pete Seavey helping Adam box and carry the books and Denise Heilman helping Candace sort and count the books.
Candace and Adam would like say “THANK YOU to the Elks and to the Warren community for donating the books and for the enthusiastic support of this great cause. This project has so clearly embodied our motto ‘Elks Care, Elks Share.’ THANK YOU!!!!!”
Are you interested in making new friends, providing direct service to veterans, special children or making a difference in your community? Consider joining the Elks – learn more about us at www.elkslodge885.org, come down and meet us at Watchung Hills Elks Lodge 885 or send us an email to get the ball rolling at membership@elkslodge885.org.
