ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—On June 26, The Community Chest held a fun and tasty fundraiser at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Englewood.
Although it was advertised as “Martinis and Meatballs,” restaurant goers supporting the event also raised dough by eating plenty of pizza and other Italian dishes.
Throughout the day, 20% of tracked dine-in lunch or dinner and carry out sales at Anthony’s was donated to The Chest. Patrons, groups and businesses participated by placing their take-out or dine-in orders and telling the servers they were attending to support The Chest.
Throughout the day, The Chest’s Executive Director Shelly Wimpfheimer, and Director of Development Sandy Pinto, greeted diners and handed them The Community Chest donation cards to present to restaurant staff.
Besides the restaurant’s regular customers who submitted donation cards, a total of 50 people came specifically to support The Community Chest.
By 7:30 p.m., the restaurant was filled with friends, families and Board Members Melanie Simon, Jami Toolen, Vicki Sidrow and Anton Schermer, who came with his wife Sheryl and 7-year-old daughter Vivian. They were joined by Wimpfheimer’s husband, Justin, and longtime Chest supporters, including Florence and Bob Marchi.
Wimpfheimer said, “The beauty of this event is that it gives our old and new friends an opportunity to come together for an informal evening of networking and socializing while also showing support to The Community Chest’s Annual Campaign. We look forward to our next one on July 24. Friends and supporters are invited to join us on that evening as well.”
Wimpfheimer was enthused about the growth of The Chest’s community initiatives in recent years.
“We are extremely pleased with our partnership with a number of organizations for nutritional literacy,” she said. “We worked with Englewood Hospital Health, the Center for Food Action, Office of Concern, the North Hudson Health Center, Englewood Health Department and Age-Friendly Englewood to host educational seminars and dinners led by chefs and nutritionists. It’s a wonderful collaborative effort!”
Pinto was optimistic about The Chest’s donor base and was planning activities to attract more young donors at its Octoberfest.
“We also recently held our second annual ladies luncheon where we awarded scholarships to two high school seniors,” she said.
The Community Chest Strengthens Communities
Founded in 1933, The Community Chest is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization with a Board of Managers comprised of noted community leaders.
The Chest supports not-for-profit agencies that strengthen and enrich local communities and benefit people in need in eastern Bergen County. These organizations address issues of health and mental health, hunger, arts programming, the environment, and volunteerism for approximately 50,000 people in the area.
The Chest also provides coordinating and planning services in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network.
The proceeds from Martinis and Meatballs will help The Community Chest meet the pressing issues of people in need in eastern Bergen County.
People interested in volunteering and/or being considered for board membership may contact Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474.
