The Hammonton Gazette 02/18/15 Edition | Page 4

Education foundation’s annual event planned for March 15 at HHS Wednesday, February 18, 2015 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3 TASTE, from Page 1 said. According to Hammonton Education Foundation member Mary Gillespie, Dance Magic students, the local jazz band and Susan Leiser Piano Studio students will be performing at the Taste of the Town event. The event chairperson is Marie Campanella. The many restaurants, stores and shops that will participate in this year’s Taste of the Town include Chocolate Pretzel Heaven in Atco and Andy’s Pizza and Ristorante in Hammonton. Carol Rynex, owner of Chocolate Pretzel Heaven, said she has been a vendor at the Taste of the Town on two or three occasions before, but is participating for the first time in a few years. Rynex has a son currently at Hammonton High School and another son that graduated last year. She said she likes to support the school system. “It also gives me some PR for the Hammonton and Atco communities for my business recognition. I am looking forward to being a part of it,” Rynex said. Andy’s Pizza and Ristorante owners Marco Carranza and German Lucas will be at the Taste of the Town event as relatively new restaurant owners in the community. They said they always embrace the opportunity to pay back the customers and the community by participating in events such as this. “We are going to have some surprises on the menu at the event. We want to help the schools, and not just that, we want to help everyone. We will be there to help the kids. We want to be able to help the community. If people stop in and talk to us about how we can help the community we are all for it. We are looking forward to our first year participating in the event,” Lucas and Carranza both said. Tickets for the event are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Plus, anyone who is donating can sponsor a table for $25. Hammonton Education Foundation member Mark Leiser has been instrumental in the public relations and en- DiMeglio Septic, Est. 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio tertainment organizing portion of the event, while Shelley Henely and Toni Anne Galletta have been in charge of decorating for the festivities. Roseann Struble has assumed the role of ticket collection. According to Gillespie, there will be three or four big prizes for the raffle table. One of the prizes is a 58-inch smart television, donated by Don and Rhonda Maimone. With tremendous contributions from others in the community and associated with the Hammonton Education Foundation, the annual Taste of the Town promises to be a wonderful afternoon for everyone. “I think it is good for the community to be exposed to the different restaurants in our area because the vendors are just so generous, and I am hoping it will increase their business. At the same time, all of this will benefit the school district. This fundraiser is the most lucrative one we have organized the last 11 years. That is where we raise most of our money for the grants we give out,” Gillespie said. Gillespie added that the foundation has raised more than $360,000 during the first 11 years the Taste of the Town event has taken place. On a side note, the foundation is seeking donations for the Blueberry Bush Giving Inc. 1 (800) 427-4617 ~ 561-1007 ~ 561-3597 491 S. White Horse Pike • Ancora, NJ • Grease Trap Cleaning • Portable Toilets • Septic Certifications • Jetting Service YOUR FAMILY JEWELER SINCE 1972. Custom Wedding Bands Repairs on Premises Watch Battery Replacements Engagement Ring Specialists Jewelry For All Occasions Lovelinks Yol, Mechanic and Artist CUSTOM WEDDING BANDS • REPAIRS COMPLETED ON PREMISES 121