Children helping children is the theme of an upcoming fundraiser being sponsored by the Freehold Noontime Optimist Club.
The club will host a Cake and Cookie Bake-Off on Feb. 28 at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus at CentraState Medical Center, West Main Street, Freehold Township. The event is being held to benefit Camp Quality, a summer camp for children with cancer.
According to Diane Berger, a past-president of the organization, all of the proceeds from the Feb. 28 event will be donated to the New Jersey location of Camp Quality in Blairstown.
Speaking about Camp Quality, Berger said, “The children receive one week of camp for free in June. Each child is paired up with a volunteer companion for that week.”
Camp Quality is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization that provides a free camp experience and support program for children with cancer, according to the organization’s Internet Web site. The camp features all types of activities for the youngsters and has an on-site medical staff and adult volunteer support.
Berger said the Freehold Noontime Optimist Club has been hosting fundraisers to support Camp Quality for six years.
She said the Feb. 28 Cake and Cookie Bake-Off will be held in two sessions — one session for junior high school students and one session for high school students. Each session will offer three categories for contestants: cookies; cakes; and cake decorating. Prizes will be awarded to the winner in each category.
The Noontime Optimist Club has held various types of fundraisers in the past, but this is the first time the club is sponsoring a bake-off. The club members are looking forward to a good turnout and a successful event.
The cost to register as a contestant for the Feb. 28 bake-off is $10. A youngster’s registration will include the admission of one adult with the student. Tickets for other guests are $5 each.
Each student will be asked to bring two cakes or batches of cookies to the event so that one cake or batch of cookies may be used for judging and the other may be used for tasting by attendees to go along with the coffee and milk that will be served.
“This is a way for children to learn to help other children. It is a way for them to feel good about doing something good and to have fun at the same time,” Berger said.
For tickets or more information can call the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus at 732-308-0570 or send an e-mail to Helene Elo at [email protected].
Berger said the Freehold Sunrise Optimist Club and the Freehold Evening Optimist Club also hold fundraisers to help support Camp Quality.
The Freehold Noontime Optimist Club is planning another fundraiser on March 20 to benefit youth activities in the community.
A
ccording to Berger, a Game Show
Night and Gift Auction will be held at the Excelsior Caterers, Route 9 South, Manalapan. Tickets for the event, which will feature a full dinner, are $45 each if purchased before the event and $50 if purchased at the door.
The March 20 event will support programs such as scholarships for high school seniors, spelling bees for fifth-graders and a fishing derby for Freehold area children.
“We also help the Open Door Food Pantry,” Berger said.
This will mark the first time the club has sponsored this type of event. Various games will be played by the attendees, coordinated by Moonwalk Enterprises.
The gift auction will include a variety of baskets filled with items such as gift certificates from area restaurants and businesses, as well as gifts certificates for services from area merchants.
“It will be a fun event to enjoy,” Berger said. To purchase tickets or for more information about the March 20 Game Show Night and Gift Auction, call Sharon Goldman at 732-780-5636.