By:Scott Brinton
But Sal Vassallo, the chamber's president-elect and owner of Vassallo Insurance Agency in Merrick, said he wasn't concerned by the lower-than-hoped-for turnout on Sunday. By then, he said, the chamber had already raised enough money through ticket sales and other fund-raising venues to cover the costs of its annual scholarship drive.
"We should be able to cover the scholarship completely, which is what this is all about," Vassallo said.
Each year the chamber hands out three $1,500 scholarships -- one each at Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham high schools. The Kids' Fest serves as the sole fund-raiser for the chamber's scholarship fund. Scholarship awards are given to students with averages of 65 to 80 who have demonstrated leadership skills and performed extensive community service.
