JACKSON –The James Volpe Foundation will host its first Winter Dinner Dance from 7-11 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Bartley Road, Jackson.
The foundation is named in memory of Jackson Memorial High School senior James Volpe, who died in a motor vehicle accident in May 2011.
The dinner dance will feature a buffet dinner, soft drinks, beer and wine, a 50/50 raffle, a disc jockey and dancing. Guests must be 18 years old to attend and 21 years old to drink.
For several years, the foundation has hosted two fundraisers: a Wiffle Ball tournament and a family fun day in the summer and a golf outing in the fall.
John Mucia Jr., 22, the vice president of the foundation, said, “We felt that we should expand a little and get a fundraising event in the winter, since we don’t really have anything going on at that time.”
According to Mucia, the foundation has raised more than $30,000 and has provided scholarships to high school seniors, supplied holiday gifts and food to less fortunate families, paid for sports equipment for various leagues and supported a Students Against Drunk Driving chapter at Jackson Memorial High School.
Mucia said Joe and Sandy Lopez, of Jackson, will provide instruction in line dancing at the Feb. 27 event.
Mucia said the winter dance is an event that Volpe would have enjoyed.
“James had a very big heart and he was a people person who never liked to hang out with just one person. He wanted everyone to be there and that is what we are trying to get here,” he said. “We want people to get together and meet each other for a night out.”
Mucia said the foundation may seek to expand its efforts to other communities in the future.
“We would like to start expanding and giving more to the community,” he said. “Maybe we can start expanding outside of Jackson and start benefiting the county at this point.”
Tickets for the Feb. 27 dance are $40 and may only be purchased at the event’s page on Eventbrite.