'Keep Stokes Alive' Drive Starts Sunday With Car Wash Fund-Raiser

Got five dollars to spend on a good cause?

Head on over to the parking lot of the Clara B. Worth School off Grand Central Parkway Sunday and let the kids sponge the winter dirt and grime off your car for $5.

"The cost is a mere $5 and supports sending our students to to continue a longstanding traditon of outdoor environmental education," said Peggy Crawford, a member ot the Berkeley Township Education and Environment Foundation.

The car wash is just the first of the Foundation's fundraisers to help raise money for the trip to Sussex County in June.

"You can't put a price tag on this opportunity that not only gives them the essentials of conservation and preservation, but provides a once in a lifetime memory," Crawford said.

The trip - a 42-year-tradition in the Berkeley school district - appeared to be in jeopardy for much of this year. Some foundation members claimed school officials had stonewalled them in their fundraising efforts.

But things were smoothed over at a meeting with schools Superintendent Joseph H. Vicari and other officials early in March.

"Joe Vicari has been wonderful to me," Crawford said. "He has been so supportive since we had a get-together. He is 100 percent on board."

And foundation members have been scrambling to set up as many fund-raisers as they can to help pay for the trip, which is slated for mid-June.

The Sprinkle Shack on Route 9 in Bayville has agreed to donate 30 percent of their April 18 proceeds for the trip. Tony's Pizza and a number of other local businesses are also coming on board. Berkeley Patch will list the dates of the other businesses as soon as they are available.

Crawford is also gathering local recipes for a student cookbook she hopes to have ready for sale by Mother's Day. The project will not only raise money for the trip, but serve as an educational experience for students, she said.

"The kids will provide the recipes," Crawford said. "I wanted the kids to research a family recipe. We'll sell if for $10. It's going to have the kids' names in int. A lot of local businesses have offered to sell it."

Crawford has already made arrangements with a publisher for the cookbook.

Also planned is a 50-50 raffle on opening day at the Berkeley Little League field on Moorage Avenue, movie nights at the Berkeley Township Elementary School, and candy sales, she said.

Foundation President Gerry Morey and Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. are also working on a "Breakfast with the Mayor" event to be held in the near future.

Crawford is applying for a grant grant from United Water Company for the trip, which will include a letter of recommendation from Amato.

The Foundation hopes to have a website up soon. Anyone with any questions can contact Crawford at peggyc299@yahoo.com