By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
It is time for the National Wrestling Superstars All Star Pro Wrestling fundraiser Friday night at the VFW Hall on Washington Avenue.
Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the event begins at 7:45 with a night of big wrestling favorites.
The fundraiser benefits the Manville Boy Scout Troop 193 and Cub Scout of Pack 193. According to Tropp 193 Scoutmaster Jim Kelly, the event is a popular fundraiser for the Scouts.
”The event helps support the Boy Scouts of Manville with the proceeds sending boys to summer camp and helping them to afford to go summer camp,” he said. “They can also buy equipment because they have earned so much money.”
Parents, Scouts and leaders work in the kitchen to help the VFW. The proceeds from the food sales are split between the Scouts and the VFW, the Scouts’ sponsor.
The volunteers have helped in the kitchen for many years.
”We have been doing the food for the wrestling event for the last six years,” said Mr. Kelly. “The VFW needs to have qualified people in its kitchen. Since we have a person with food handling experience/qualifications we can do that.
”Most of the boys work the counter and the adults work the kitchen. The food is reasonably priced. We are here to be a service for the public and the VFW. We usually have pizza from a local parlor and we try to feature a different one every now and again. We have hot dogs with most of the usual fixings, fries, popcorn, soda and pretzels from Jim’s Pretzels on Main Street,” said Mr. Kelly.
As the boys work, the total proceeds earned are split into their individual Scout accounts which cut down the expenses for their summer camp, other camping trips and trips throughout the year.
According to Mr. Kelly, “The funds are still used to support the programs. The younger boys do more in town activities, Pinewood Derby, Rain Gutter Regatta, annual Scout dinner and some family camping events. The older boys do more camping, hiking and outdoor events.”
Having the Scouts learn about earning things in life is a plus for the boys.
According to Mr. Kelly, “It is not that someone is going to give things to you, it is possible to work for them, feel good about it and have fun doing it.”
For the Scout, it is more than just helping out the VFW. Mr. Kelly said “It allowed us to do a lot with the Cub Scouts and with the Boy Scouts; it has given us the opportunity to keep the summer camp at half of the cost for the boys. You are looking at a $100 to $150 savings for the families for sending their son to summer camp. This is what the wrestling does for us. It gives us the opportunity to keep the costs down for kids going to summer camp and do all the other kinds of activities.”
Come see favorites in the All Star Pro Wrestling including Hillsborough’s own Ice Pick Lowinski and Judas Young in the grudge match, Danny Inferno, Destiny, Gigolo Joe Jones in a special tag team match and many others.
To support the Scouts, tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for kids and seniors and are available by calling Mr. Kelly at (908) 725-1025.

