OEF Fun-Raiser 2

The Oakland Education Foundation rolled out the red carpet, literally, for a Broadway style show of skits and song this past Saturday evening. Guests were greeted in the crisp spring twilight by the warmth of a Joan Rivers impersonator who ushered them to a welcoming champagne station. Organizers of this years event also dressed up the entrance to the Knights of Columbus hall with a party tent set up with cocktail tables and an impressive display of Tricky Tray gift baskets.

Inside, KofC members manned the bar which is one of the hidden gems of Oakland. A polished contemporary design mixes with an old-school pub feeling of custom cabinetry, woodwork and trim behind a spacious bar. The Broadway theme followed throughout as Dawn Milich, President of the OEF, worked the “theater” box office selling 50/50 tickets. Not to be forgotten, the sight of the wide screen television with the Villanova game on gave great comfort for college basketball fans who came out to support education in Oakland.

The show and dinner, held in the adjacent dining hall, was filled with banquet tables dressed up with top-hat, white gloves, and novelty mics and guests assigned to tables bearing the names of famous Broadway shows. Joan Rivers, a.k.a Gary Dee, introduced Dawn Milich who’s brief welcoming speech included recognition to teachers, administrators and school board members, as well as all in attendance who came out to help keep Oakland’s school district one of NJ’s finest. She then brought to center stage some of the women who worked to bring the whole evening together: April Masefield, Tina Albrecht, Dawn Cortese and Margaret Kourgelis.

The dinner and music was great. Cafe L’Amore of Oakland catered the event with a menu that offered something for every palate, and Tim Sorbanelli of Oakland set the mood with music for dinner and dancing after the show. And while Oakland does have its share of divas and actors, bringing in Gary Dee and the On Our Terms acting troupe brought an authenticity to the whole event. On Our Terms performed skits on a variety of topics such as dating, marriage and parenthood and tailored some acts specifically for the Oakland crowd.

Jim Mulcahy, who will not be returning to the school board after decades of service to Oakland education, was recognized for his dedication to the students and the schools. One of the many volunteers in Oakland that help build the fabric of the community, it was a poetic twist of fate that Jim and his wife Joan won the evenings 50/50 raffle which totaled over sixteen hundred dollars. There were also plenty of other winners of gift baskets and gift certificates donated by sponsors listed below….after which the party continued into the night.

OEF Photo Gallery

Advertising sponsors included: Shoprite of Oakland, Cafe L’Amore, TD Bank, Boswell Engineering, Robertet, Tommy Bahama, Soiree Productions, Artique Glass Studio, York Shutter Company, Oakland OPT, Sam Antoci Photography, Pirrello Interiors, The Pernetti Family, V. Capelli Salon, Tim Sorbanelli, Cicero Designs, Crystal Lake Beach Club, James Construction, Braen Stone, Diet Center, The Oakland Education Association, The Mothers’ Club, The Fathers’ Club, The Newcomers and Neighbors Club and the Sports Association of Oakland.

Basket/Raffle donations were made by: American Woman Fitness Center, Colony Florist, Estee Lauder, Giavan, Giblings, The Kourgelis Family, LA Fitness, Lisa Gootman, Parian & Sons Jewelers, Pete & John’s, Portobello’s, Star Nails, Valley Road Hot Bagels, VIP Cleaners, Wilkes Deli, The Cortese Family, Holiday Bowl, Piazella, Oakland Recreation, The Pernetti Family.

Other donations were made by The Demauro Family, Heights PTO, Manito PTO, Eastern Insurors, DRS Technologies, Riverside Nursery, Paragon Federal Credit Union, Ramapo Medical Arts Center- Dr. Loeb, Russ Berrie, Prestige Party Rentals, Faber Brothers, Kelly Enright, Debbie Grande, Karen Kutlick, Phylissa Gallotta.