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Community Corner

'March Into Spring' Raises Hope for the Needy

Hundreds Support Woman's Club's Annual Fundraiser

They won an an autographed apron and hat from the "Cake Boss," a Nanina's in the Park gift basket, and an original oil painting.

Around 214 guests bid for the prizes at the Tricky Tray basket auction sponsored by The Woman's Club of Belleville.

The event, titled, “March Into Spring” brought in women from Belleville, Nutley and neighboring communities to The Chandelier on Franklin Avenue on March 22.

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 "We sent out around 150 letters," said Ellen Lund, the Club's Vice-President and Co-Chair for the event. "Some of our members went door-to-door to ask for donations, and different members also donated prize baskets."

"We've had a very good turnout both in donations and participation," said Lund.

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Co-Chair Patty Wells agreed, "Considering the difficult economic situation, we've had a very good response."

A total of 241 prizes were raffled off at the Tricky Tray, including a “"Lottery Apron" (with a number of lottery tickets pinned on it), and a locked jar containing a $200 prize money. The 50/50 Raffle, which, at the end of the night amounted to $665 cash for the winning ticket

The tricky tray is the Woman's Club of Belleville's major annual fundraiser to support their projects, which include four $600 scholarships awarded yearly to BHS senior women, sponsorship of two BHS junior women at the Girls Career Institute at Douglas College, as well as many other charitable projects in the community, state, national and international levels.

"We thank each and every guest who supported us at this event," said Club president Carol Casale.

"Our club consider this event very successful. We worked very hard to make it so."

Both first-time and veteran participants were excited to join and win prizes.

First-timer Khalilah Wilbourn of Bloomfield came with her mom Nina Lynn and several churchmates.

"I'm coming here for the first time and I didn't know what to expect. But I'm really happy to see a lot of prizes available," said Khalilah. In the end, her mom Nina won one of the big prizes.

Debra Achivinu, who attended the tricky tray with friends last year, joined again Thursday night to "bring home some prizes." According to Debra, "It's always nice to spend time with friends and women during events like these and just have a good time."

Having a good time with other women (and a few men) while at the same time knowing that they're helping out with the Club's projects and charitable efforts were some of the common reasons cited by the attendees for supporting the fundraiser.

Belleville Public Library and Information Center Director, Joan Taub, said, "I've been coming to the fundraiser since 1999 to support the Woman's Club's projects, because they've always been very supportive of the library as well."

The Club extends an invitation to anyone interested in joining. They meet every second Tuesday of the month at their headquarters in 51 Rossmore Place in Belleville. For more information, you may get in touch with Carol Casale at 973-751-0604 or Ellen Lund (for membership) at 973-751-2151.

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