Preschool Advantage's Annual Benefit Surpasses Goals

MORRISTOWN, NJ, November 15, 2019 – Preschool Advantage, a Morristown-based non-profit organization, held its 2019 “Turning Leaves” Annual Fundraising Benefit Dinner on October 16th, at the Brooklake Country Club. This event, a major fund-raiser for Preschool Advantage, is also an opportunity to honor those individuals, organizations, and schools whose contributions have been transformative throughout the year. More than 325 people attended the event and funds raised surpassed previous records, enabling 40 children to attend preschool next year. The Benefit event usually raises over one-third of the tuition grants that Preschool Advantage offers each year. Major sponsors for the evening were Anne Da Silva, Adrienne & Dillard Kirby, Hackensack Meridian Health, PSE&G Corporation, Normandy Real Estate, Ray & Carol Hawkins and the Wealth Enhancement Group.

This year’s community honoree was the Peck School. Andrew Delinsky, Peck’s Head of School received the award from Adrienne Kirby, Preschool Advantage Board President. Peck School’s relationship with Preschool Advantage goes back to 2015 when the School presented its annual Community Service Award to the founders of Preschool Advantage, Jill and Stuart Lasser. “From there, we forged a strong partnership with Preschool Advantage, highlighted by our annual seventh grade ‘Pasta for Preschool’ event that typically raises more than $10,000 annually for Preschool Advantage,” says Mr. Delinsky, “and the Peck School’s seventh grade students stay connected by volunteering at various Preschool Advantage events throughout the year.”

Preschool Advantage also gave special recognition to a long-time partner preschool, The Preschool Place and Kindergarten. Carol Rubnitz, Director of the school, accepted the recognition and said, “In the fourteen years that our school has been partnering with Preschool Advantage we have had the privilege of making positive differences in the lives of nearly 50 children.” She continued, “The power of quality education has lasting effects on the success of individuals both from an academic perspective and from a social-emotional standpoint. The result of an initial positive school experience is the development of self-confidence. And when children feel good about themselves, their success continues.”

Preschool Advantage also recognizes one Alumni family each year at the event. This year the honor went to a family whose oldest daughter attended preschool with Preschool Advantage’s tuition assistance. Mom, Ashley, remarked that despite not wanting to ask for help they knew they desperately needed it. “The fear that our daughter would be set back academically and socially was overwhelming to us.” Her daughter is now in second grade leading Ashley to say “that the programs gave her a foundation to be well rounded, kind and curious. Every child deserves a chance.”

Preschool Advantage is a non-profit organization with the vision that all children begin school with the skills they need to learn and thrive. Since its inception almost 25 years ago, over 1,500 children have been funded. To learn more about Preschool Advantage, call (973) 532- 2501 or visit www.preschooladvantage.org.