Looking ahead with the East Rockaway Education Foundation

The East Rockaway Education Foundation held its monthly meeting in the Richard J. Meagher Library at Centre Avenue School on Monday, with 11 board members — and one prospect — in attendance. The theme of the meeting seemed to be one of moving on, and gratitude.

“It was a rousing success,” said Foundation President Richard Meagher. “It was a long meeting, and we got a lot accomplished.”

One highlight of the night was a presentation of a $14,519 “oversized” check, made out to the Foundation from the coordinators of “Rebuilding the Rock,” a highly successful event held last December. The proceeds of the event were earmarked for the Education Foundation. The presentation check figure represented the sum of $6,760 previously submitted in donation checks, a $7,009 check handed in at the meeting, and a final $750 expected to be mailed in shortly. A hardy round of applause from the board greeted the presentation.

Rebuild the Rock was coordinated by Alumni Tommy Casabona, John Fitzsimmons, Amanda Cooney, David Ludwig, Dana Kallman, Jim Temple, Mike Hummel, Anthony DiCicco and a host of volunteers. Cooney made the presentation to the Foundation board members.

Meagher accepted the check that, he said, “reflects the deep gratitude of our EREF directors for what Rebuild the Rock had accomplished.” This money adds to the more than $56,000 that has already been raised in the Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund.

Much attention was focused on the rescheduled dinner dance and award ceremony, originally slated for last November. Event Chairwoman Michelle Healy reviewing the many details for the event. The dinner has been rescheduled for April 12. Tickets are still available, and journal ads can be purchased for now by messaging a board member at www.facebook.com/eredfoundation. Ticket requests and donations can also be made by mail, East Rockaway Education Foundation, P.O. Box 230, East Rockaway, NY 11518.

A Technology grant was presented and accepted, and preliminary plans were made for presentation of EREF “Hurricane Relief Fund” checks to the ERUFSD at future Board of Education meetings in February, March, and May. In addition, a Spring 2013 special funding request was approved after detailed discussion.

Toward the end of the evening, a grant committee was formed, co-chaired by board members Vera Gallagher and Dan Caracciollo, who will begin working on grant proposals as soon as possible.