SPOTSWOOD- Enjoy a night of poker, blackjack, roulette and craps … yet you’re guaranteed not to go home with your pocket any lighter?
That’s what the Spotswood Educational Foundation is offeringwith its CasinoNight, scheduled for Feb. 29. Attendees who buy tickets for the event can play casino games for up to four hours, and possibly win any of a number of gifts in an end-of-night raffle.
Marge Drozd, a borough councilwoman and member of the foundation, said Casino Night is intended to raise funds for the nonprofit foundation, which grants money each year to Spotswood schools for programs deemed worthwhile, yet not funded in the school budget.
This year, the foundation is seeking to make at least $20,000 from Casino Night, which would make it the group’s largest fundraiser yet.
John Chludzinski, vice president of the foundation, said the group held a murder mystery night two years ago, and last year gave a presentation to discuss the group’s successes. But members felt that a Casino Night would be a worthwhile endeavor, seeing that similar groups in other towns have had success with those events.
Chludzinski said the foundation really does hope this is the group’s most profitable fundraiser ever.
“We believe in setting a goal and reaching for it rather than just trying to play it safe,” he said.
Anyone who wishes to attend can purchase a ticket, at $55 for singles, $100 for couples. In return, each ticket holderwill get $100 worth of chips for the games.
The foundation cannot award monetary prizes, so winners will get raffle tickets for the chance to win prizes, which Drozd said include a basket of jewelry, a Channel perfume basket, a gym membership, a basket full of lottery tickets, comedy club tickets and other goodies. The winning raffle numbers will be picked at the end of the night, Drozd said.
“You are not really playing with real money, so you can take more chances,” she said. “It really is a lot of fun.”
For those who have not played the casino games before, the event is a chance to learn, as there will be people on hand there to teach the fundamentals, Drozd said.
The event will be held at the Knights of Columbus on CrescentAvenue, and will run from7-11 p.m. In addition to the game chips, the entrance fee includes beer, wine, soda and food.
There will also be specials run throughout the night so that players can buy additional chips.
The foundation has given about $8,000 in grants over the past two years, and the money is used to directly enhance classroom learning, Drozd noted. The casino night will be the biggest fundraiser for the grants that will be given for the next school year.
There are 220 tickets available for the event, and those wishing more information should call Diane at (732) 251-4090.