Cruise auction to act as fundraiser
By: Joseph Harvie
The Travel Center in the Town Place Shopping Center on Route 27 is auctioning off a one-night stay on a Caribbean cruise ship to raise money for the township Human Intervention Trust Fund.
The Kendall Park will hold the silent auction tonight (Thursday) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
People will be able to bid on a one night stay on the Royal Caribbean Liberty cruise liner, which will make its debut in May in Bayonne, Mary Eichler, manager of the Travel Center, said Tuesday.
"The winner will receive one night accommodations on the ship, dinner and entertainment," Ms. Eichler said.
To enter the silent auction, people must attend the event, sign in to verify that they are over 21 years old and then place a bid on the cruise. The person with the highest bid will receive accommodations for two on the ship on a date to be determined later, and that money would be donated to the township.
However, the Travel Center has already promised to donate $1,000 to the Trust Fund regardless of how the auction goes, Ms. Eichler said. She said that any additional money raised by the auction would be donated to the township.
The township Human Intervention Trust Fund is an account set up by the township to help the local needy pay rent, energy bills, hospital costs or any emergency cost. A family can be helped only once a year.
Ms. Eichler said the Travel Center is glad to do something positive for the township.
"We are part of the town, many of us live in the town and we want to be part of the community," Ms. Eichler said.
Light refreshments will be served and there will be other giveaways. Travel Center Sstaff members will be on hand to talk with people about other travel plans.
"If anything, it’ll be a nice night out for people where we can raise money for a good cause," Ms. Eichler said.
For more information contact the Travel Center at (732)329-1000 or LouAnne Wolf, township director of Social Services at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7674.

