MANVILLE: Rescue squad helps women organize benefit car wash

By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
   Manville First Aid and Rescue Squad members will lend a helping hand Saturday when it lends experience and the squad parking lot on South 3rd Avenue to be used from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a car wash to raise money for the Avon Foundation for Women. The rain date is Aug. 11.
   Nikki Rokicki, a 19-year-old Bridgewater resident and a Raritan Valley Community College student, said she got involved with the Manville Rescue Squad through her cousin, Janet Alcaide.
   ”She used to be on the squad and, when I went to her with my idea, it took all of 10 minutes to get a meeting set up. If it wasn’t for her I don’t know where or if we’d be able to do this,” she said.
   Ms. Rokicki’s mom Denise (Drummer) is a former Manville resident.
   ”Times are tough, and sending out letters asking for donations isn’t enough,” said Ms. Rokicki. “My team and I found that fundraisers, such as this car wash and the benefit concert I put together in July, are a fun way to get people involved in our cause.
   They (Manville Rescue Squad) have been really helping us along the way.
   Ms. Rokicki said she has never put together a car wash before so the rescue squad is giving tips.
   ”The fact that they have, and they were able to raise a lot of money, is really helpful,” she said. “They have given some good advice on what to use, and what not to use, and how to set it all up. They are letting us use their water, and some of their supplies as well.”
   “Last year my mom and her friend Nikki joined the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer,” said Ms. Rokicki. “At first I made fun of them, always going out to train for it, and sending letters to people. But when I went to see them cross the finish line in New York City, it was amazing. The amount of support and love in that city that weekend, was unbelievable and you can’t help but to want to be a part of something like that.”
   Ms. Rokicki said the event will help her Ms. Rokicki will walk with her team, “The Binski Avengers” which includes her best friend, Manali Pradhan, mom Denise, and her friend Nikki Young, get the $1,800 each person needs to raise to be able to walk in the event in October.
   “’’”The suggested donation per vehicle is $10 for both cars and trucks. All of the money goes to the foundation.
   Ms. Rokicki is optimistic.
   ”I hope to raise over a thousand, maybe even close to $2000. If we were able to raise that much, it would help our team immensely.”