Evesham Education Foundation Gives a Jump Start to District’s Youngest Pupils

MARLTON, N.J. - Jan. 11, 2016 - PRLog -- When the Evesham Education Foundation convenes for its annual Wine, Dine & Win fundraising event Feb. 5, its board of directors will make the case that the group’s mission goes well beyond supplying funds for student trips, various supplies and other niceties for district students caught in the grip of shrinking school budgets.

In fact, the nonprofit EEF has actually jump-started academic careers for hundreds of the township’s youngest, most fragile pupils, including many who simply feared the idea of going to school in the first place.  The Coordinated Arts Program for Primary Students (CAPPS), which since 1995 helped smooth the path for children entering kindergarten, was looking at its demise due to budget restraints.  In 2000, the EEF, comprised of parents and business leaders from the community, stepped up.

“The Evesham Education Foundation pulled this valuable program from the brink, allowing township pre-kindergarteners to continue learning essential social and developmental skills necessary to be comfortable in a new environment,” says Evesham Schools Superintendent John Scavelli, Jr.  “We couldn’t be happier for the parents of these youngsters.”

Held at DiMasi Elementary School each July, and run by the school’s assistant principal, CAPPS provides a variety of art programs four days a week, for four weeks, with the goal of acclimating children to the classroom.  The program is particularly beneficial for children who are withdrawn, fearful of school, or simply need a bit of a boost to match their peers academically.

“The EEF likes to spread it around throughout the district, but this has been one of our favorite, most rewarding projects,” says EEF Board President John Cipollone.  “This is the kind of thing that sets the Evesham District apart, something all residents can be proud of.”

It’s that pride the foundation hopes will attract attendees and supporters to Wine, Dine & Win, a “wine-tasting/casino night” event that promises great fun, great food, and chance to walk away with great prizes from community sponsors.  The event, the EEF’s biggest of the year and co-sponsored by Oak Mortgage, kicks off at 7 p.m. at The Mansion in Voorhees.  Blackjack, roulette, craps and wheel games will be on the menu, side by side with samples from many of Evesham’s best restaurants and establishments.  Per the event name, there will also be a wine tasting comprised of hundreds of wines from around the world, making it “by far the biggest wine tasting in South Jersey,” according to Charlie Beatty of co-sponsor Wineworks in Marlton.

“This is our marquee event, and we hope everyone in town will come out for a good time and to support the wonderful things the foundation does, things that impact the quality of our children’s school experience, and hence the community itself,” says Cipollone.

General admission for Wine, Dine & Win is $75, and that includes all food, beverages and “casino chips.”  VIP admission, which includes one-hour earlier start time and access to a VIP wine list, is $125.  Chips have no cash value, and no monetary prizes will be awarded.  The Mansion is located at 3000 Main Street in Voorhees.  To register, or for more information about the event or the Evesham Education Foundation, visit http://www.eveshameducationfoundation.org.