Taste for Education
Emcee of the event SBEC Vice President John Smolinsky, SBEC President Christine Wilson and Chairman of the Selectmen Donald Wong. Advocate photo/Julie Mitchell

View more photos of the 2008 Taste for Education!

The 16th Annual Taste For Education was held at the Danversport Yacht Cub in Danvers this past Monday. The Saugus Business Education Collaborative sponsored the annual springtime event and judging from the turnout, it was a huge success.

John Smolinsky of the Saugus Federal Credit Union was on hand to emcee the event once again and had everyone in attendance laughing, relaxed, and ready to support the Saugus schools.

The list of participating restaurants was impressive and seems to grow larger every year. This year’s participants included Kowloon Restaurant, Hilltop Steak-house, Prince Pizza, Border Café, Danversport Yacht Club, Fuddruckers, Piantedosi’s Baking Co., Avelino’s, Out of Asia, Kelly’s Roast Beef, World’s Finest Chocolates, Tumble Inn, La Vita Mia, Edible Arrangements, Nick’s Place, Starbucks of Beverly and Saugus, and The North End Café. With the attendance well over 400 people, the food from these fabulous restaurants went fast.

Danversport Yacht Club, the host for the evening, did a great job making everyone feel welcome.

The Saugus Business Education Collaborative raises money to help fund extracurricular activities in town as well as other funding for Saugus teachers and shared among all the town’s schools. With the demand for funding at an all time high and town resources at an all time low, the need for more fundraising has never been so sorely needed. The Saugus Business Education Collaborative has been one of the most supportive organizations in the town of Saugus and has supported our schools for many years.

“This is a wonderful event,” said Saugus Business Education Collaborative President and School Committee member Christine Wilson. “I am so happy with the turn out on such a rainy night. This show’s the commitment of our community for our schools.”

The Taste For Education was eagerly attended by a “who’s who” of Saugus education, town government, and grateful citizens who came out to support their town and its school system. The list of raffle prizes given by the wonderful businesses of Saugus continues to grow and without their support, the night would not have been such a success.

The Saugus Business Education Collaborative would like to thank Hilltop Steakhouse, Resco, Attorney Bill Doyle, Carpenito Real Estate who donated a house built out of scratch tickets , Joe Motskin Enterprises, Tim Doyle, Harry Ogden, Lawn Pros, Cara Shaer, AAA, Dr. Keith Man-ville, Attorney Nelson Chang, Moni J Bella Salon, Larry Shuman, Joe Maney, Golf Country, Dr. Kathy Stanton and the students of the Oaklandvale School, Peter Rossetti, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Bernie & Phyl’s, Hard Cover, The Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Border Café, Tangel’s, GCA Jewelry, George’s Barber Shop, ZuZu’s Beads, Stop & Shop, Shaw’s Supermarket, Carrabba’s, Avellino’s, Prince Pizza, Fuddrucker’s, Kowloons, Kelly’s Roast Beef, Edible Arrangements, A Sweet Deal, and Sports World who sponsored one of the two very successful sil-ent auctions.

The money raised at this year’s event was close to $17,000 at last count and hopefully when all monies are collected, they will surpass last year’s totals.

“I would like to thank everyone from the Saugus Business Education Collaborative who gave up their free time for this great event,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Keith Manville. “The businesses in Saugus always support the children and schools of Saugus. Without them, we could not have the resources to keep needed programs and extracurricular activities going.”

In addition to the raffles, a beautiful hand made doll-house donated by Carrie Perricola was auctioned off.

The Sixteenth Annual Taste For Education was a huge success and next year’s should be even more spectacular. If you missed out on this great event you will be able to watch it on our very own SCTV Inc. (Saugus Community Television) on channel 8, it will air sometime in May thanks to Rich Garabedian and James Wlodyka, who filmed the event. Thanks to all who attended and donated to help our school children.