JACKSON – The James Volpe Foundation will host its first event of 2018 when it presents its third annual winter dinner dance at the Knights of Columbus, 401 Bartley Road, Jackson, on March 3.
The foundation is named for James Volpe, who died in a motor vehicle accident during his senior year at Jackson Memorial High School in 2011. Volpe was a baseball player at Jackson Memorial and was planning to attend Kean University.
Money raised by the foundation funds scholarships that are presented to seniors at Jackson Memorial High School and Jackson Liberty High School who emulate James Volpe’s character, according to John Mucia Jr., who is the foundation’s vice president.
“We figured a local dance might be a good way to raise money locally in the community so we could donate more back,” Mucia said.
Mucia said the dance has sold out the past two years. The Knights of Columbus hall has a capacity of 120 people and tickets will not be sold at the door. Tickets are available on the foundation’s Event Brite page and the link is available on the foundation’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
“(Admission) gets you a chance to win a door prize, all you can eat buffet-style food, and beer and wine, and we will be checking IDs,” Mucia said.
The event is scheduled to run from 7-11 p.m. and will feature dancing and music by Trio Productions. Admission is $40 per person and the dinner dance is open to individuals age 18 and over.
“We do a variety of (charities) so we will allocate (the funds raised) appropriately across different platforms we use,” Mucia said.
In addition to scholarships the foundation awards to high school seniors, he said, “We also give back to children in the community who cannot afford to play sports. If we hear of any instances like that, we will pick up the (cost of their) registration and allow them to play.”
Mucia said as long as a request for assistance meets the foundation’s mission statement, its officers can offer help at any time during the year.
