RISING COSTS OF COLLEGE TUITION OFFSET BY TALENTED FLOW RESIDENTS
25th Anniversary FLOW Follies Presents Largest Scholarship Fundraiser For The Ramapo-Indian Hills Community
by Deb Breslow
Since 1985, parents of students from Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff (FLOW) have put aside their business attire to sing, dance, act, write, design, and build to raise scholarship monies for graduating seniors in the Ramapo-Indian Hills community. FLOW Follies is one of the few, if not only, volunteer organizations that bring the three communities together in support of a common goal: to put on a fabulous show whose net proceeds are applied toward scholarship funds.
What drives the organization’s ability to give back to the student is the community’s purchase of tickets to the March, 2011 production and the individual or business sponsorship of an advertisement in the FLOW Follies Ad Journal.
“We are hopeful that in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of FLOW Follies, fifty senior graduates (25 at each school) will receive scholarships in the amount of $1000 each,” reports Sal Moffa, Executive Producer. “The Guidance Departments at each of the high schools are responsible for selecting the students to receive the funding and announcements are made during their June awards assemblies. The only requirement for parent membership in FLOW Follies is a $25 contribution.”
from left to right front row: Terri Ahlemyer, Marcia Loria, Carla Pappalardo, Cathy Hommes and Liz Gysbers. Back row:Janet Hoogerheyde, Sal Moffa, and Alan Makavosky
This year’s original musical comedy, There’s No Business Like FLOW Business, features Curt Buckler as Executive Director and Marjorie McConnell as Choreography Director. Buckler spent 20+ years as a professional actor and is currently a musical theatre coach, author, and teacher. “Three years ago, a friend introduced me to Sal Moffa (Executive Producer) and Jane Koch (Music Director). They gave me a chance, took me on, and I was hooked.”
From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Buckler works in Hackensack teaching math to emotionally disturbed children. But in the evenings, he’s working with men and women, parents and educators who cherish the opportunity to be involved with FLOW Follies for the many months preparing for and putting on the show.
Buckler recalls his first year with FLOW Follies: “From the auditorium seats, you could hear Hi Mom! or Hi Mr. E!” The student audiences’ feelings range from embarrassment to enthusiasm regarding their parents’ participation. But overall, the kids are impressed with the nine-week commitment their folks make on their behalf and come away thinking: “My parents are pretty cool.”
Marjorie McConnell has choreographed and performed in local musical reviews and teaches dance expression to children and adults in her community. When McConnell saw an ad in the local paper over three years ago, what started out as one dance turned into choreographing an entire show. “I have a degree in Pharmacology — no formal dance training. I am adept at improvising. I like teaching dance because I can break it down and teach anyone as long as they’re willing to put in the effort.” McConnell has an extremely positive and energetic personality. “After a long day of work and/or parenting responsibilities, the cast members can let their hair down and have a lot of fun.” A Wyckoff resident herself, McConnell admits: “I’m not certain I would’ve done this when my kids were in school!”
Student and parent choreographers are on hand to lend support in teaching the dances. Both Curt and Marjorie have been working with the FLOW Follies for the past three years.
For twenty-five years, audiences have appreciated what makes a FLOW Follies production so successful: the collaboration of dedicated producers, directors, script writers, cast and crew, the enthusiasm of every volunteer associated with the show (including parents, students, and educators), and the tireless efforts of the public relations and fundraising committees. FLOW Follies believes that it takes a village. “No stone is left unturned in an ongoing desire to financially support the students of the FLOW district as they move on to their college experience.”
Scholarship funds from a FLOW Follies production are gleaned from a variety of sources:
– Ticket sales (refreshments)
– Fundraising activities (silent auction, raffles, 50/50)
– Donations of goods and services (i.e. restaurant gift certificates, salon services, tickets to sporting events )
– Journal Ad Space (1/4, 1/2, full page/Playbill size, mini-business card size)
“FLOW Follies believes that advertisers who invest in ad space are business establishments that should be supported; before, during and after the performances,” notes Carla Pappalardo, Producer, Fund Raising and Publicity. “By including your ad in our FLOW Follies Journal, residents of the Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff communities are encouraged to shop locally. And, by contributing a product and/or service for us to auction, your company gains exposure to future customers.”
Since its inception, FLOW Follies has provided approximately $405,000 in scholarships. The not for-profit fundraising organization is inclusive of parents of high school, middle school and elementary aged students. “There are so many opportunities to get involved. It goes well beyond theatrics,” adds Pappalardo .
The writing committee develops and solidifies the script for the following year beginning in April and ending in October, the backstage committee designs and builds sets throughout the course of production, and the fundraising committee visits local businesses to obtain advertising and/or donations to be raffled during the four days of performances.
The 2011 FLOW Follies production of There’s No Business Like FLOW Business will take place on March 10,11, 12 at 7:30 p.m. and March 13 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ramapo High School auditorium, 331 George Street, Franklin Lakes, NJ.
For more information concerning fundraising, ad space or press, please contact Carla Pappalardo at ffprfundraising@gmail.com or Sal Moffa at epflowfollies@gmail.com