WESTFIELD — The Rotary Club of Westfield’s 58th annual Breakfast with the Bands fundraiser attracted a standing-room-only crowd in Westfield High School Cafeteria B on March 2.
The breakfast featured jazz ensembles from Roosevelt Intermediate School, Edison Intermediate School and Westfield High School, as well as a group of Westfield students who attend Newark Academy. Rotary Club members served breakfast all morning and were assisted in the cleanup efforts by volunteers from several Westfield Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.
“It was an incredibly successful morning full of music, community, and of course breakfast. The bands were absolutely incredible and we’re so grateful for our continued partnership with the Westfield music program,” said event Chair Lauren Barr.
“Because of the support of Westfield families, our club has been able to give more than three million dollars to 1,800 Westfield students since 1967,” she continued. “This annual event helps sustain our ability to continue our club’s scholarship and grant programs.”
This year’s event was sponsored by Shruti Shukla, D.D.S.; Spencer Savings Bank; Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation; Phelan, Frantz, Ohlig & Wegbreit; Mary Ellen O’Boyle; Maxwell’s Furniture Restoration; Warren and Ginny Rorden; Haven Savings Bank; Star Painting; Ray Kostyack and Steven Lowe. Place mat sponsors included the Rotary Youth Exchange; Westfield United
Habitats and Gardens; the Westfield Area YMCA; Beacon Financial; Carl Peer, Esq.; Heather Benz and Jayson Astel (Edward Jones); Joyce Taylor; Jay’s Cycle Center; Vincent Luongo (Wells Fargo); Ketcham &Associates; Blake Width, Esq.; Tap Into Westfield; Allstate; Bovella’s; FanwoodAnimal Hospital; Northfield Bank; Tutti Baci; Outta Hand Pizza; Showroom Hand Car Wash; Bill Bonsall, and Tony and Stephanie LaPorta.
The club also would like to thank Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery, Limáni Seafood Grill, ShopRite of Clark, Trader Joe’s and ACME for their generous support of the event.
Major projects for the Rotary Club include helping homeless veterans, collecting used bicycles to send to developing nations, helping to feed the local food insecure and eradicating polio worldwide. The Rotary Club of Westfield also gives about $25,000 in grants to local community groups. Grant applications are available on the club website, www.westfieldrotary.com. Since 1967, Westfield Rotary has awarded $3.5 million in scholarships to 1,800 students. Scholarship applications for Westfield students are available through the Westfield High School guidance department.
The Rotary Club of Westfield meets the first three Tuesdays of each month for lunch at noon at Limáni Seafood Grill, located at 235 North Avenue West, Westfield. Guests are always welcome. For information, check out www.westfieldrotary.com or contact Club Secretary Dr. D. Michael Hart by email at drmhart@yahoo.com.
