Educational Foundation Aims to Support Schools with Golf Outing

Spring is here, and with it comes Manchester Township Educational Foundation's (MTEF) third annual Golf Outing at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Lakewood.

The outing, which will be held May 16, has helped the foundation raise funds to purchase supplies and provide scholarships to students.

“The first year we profited $6,000 and last year we made $13,000. It nearly doubled, so we’re thinking big things for year three,” said MTEF secretary Marge Camposano.

The MTEF, a nonprofit charitable organization, was established in 2006. The golf outing helps raise money for teachers and students in Manchester by providing mini-grants and scholarships.

In previous years, these grants have been used to purchase items for the schools including e-book readers, MP3 players and computer software. Donations have also been used to fund specific projects that teachers want to employ in their classrooms, such as buying seeds for younger students to learn the science of growing plants. Three class trips at the high school were also funded by these grants.

“Teachers submit applications for projects that they think would be an outstanding educational experience for the students,” Camposano said.

Dr. Donna Malloy, an optometrist at Eyesfirst Vision Center in Manchester who sits on the foundation's board, became involved with MTEF about three years ago when one of the founders approached her and asked if she was interested in supporting local students.

“I went to a couple of the meetings and thought it would be a good fit for my husband and I," she said. "We’ve lived in Manchester for 15 years. [We] have an office here and our kids attend school in Manchester. We could really embrace it because we both believe in public education.”

When a position on the board opened up, Malloy joined.

“With budget cuts, it’s even more important for the board to offset some [costs]," she said. "The mini-grants are for purchasing things for the school that it can’t afford. I think that’s the thing I’m most proud of.”

Camposano said that the foundation chose a golf outing fundraiser because they did not want to compete with the PTA or Booster Club.

“[The organizations] are all working for the same goal: to provide educational experiences to the children," she said. "We wanted to do something different, not step on each other toes. We chose golf because no one else doing it."

Even those who do not golf can still come out and support the foundation, as the outing will conclude with an awards dinner at 6 p.m. Dinner-only tickets are available for $39 per person or $70 per couple. There will also be a small auction.

“Anyone who wants to go to that can go,” Camposano said.

Although Malloy said that she does not golf, she is still an active supporter of the event.

“Every year I try to round up a foursome from somewhere in the community to golf for me, or I’ll ask one of my patients,” she said. “This year I also have a table at the gift auction.”

The fee for an individual golfer is $150 per person before April 30 and $175 after. It includes lunch, use of a golf cart, bag drop service, putting green, driving range, locker room, dinner buffet, and awards. Lunch and registration begin at noon, followed by a day of golf until the dinner at 6 p.m.

The event will go on in rain or shine, unless there is thunder and lightning and the golf force the closure of the course, Camposano said.

“We’ve had beautiful days both years so we’re hoping our luck continues,” she said.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those who can’t afford the fee, but would like to participate in the golf event. Sponsorships start at $25 and go up to $2,500. The major event sponsor, Eyesfirst Vision Center, has provided $5,000 in funding this year. The MTEF is still accepting sponsorship offers.

Sponsors can also add a bit of flair to the outing, Camposano said.

“Last year we had a Honda dealership sponsor a hole-in-one contest. Our town council president, Craig Wallace, missed the hole-in-one contest by only a couple of inches," she said, adding that he just missed out on winning a new car. 

The MTEF is also accepting donations of gift cards and prizes for the mini-auction and door prizes. Sponsors and donors are recognized in the program, on the day of the event, and on the MTEF website. All donations are tax-deductible.

In addition to providing mini-grants to teachers and classrooms, the foundation also provides scholarships for Manchester High School graduates. In the past three years, the MTEF has provided over $11,000 in scholarships through partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

This year, the Senior Citizens Club of Crestwood Village IV and the Lakehurst-Manchester Lions Club are providing funding for another $1,500 worth of scholarships. The four MTEF-sponsored scholarships will be awarded at Senior Awards Night at the high school on June 2.

More information on registering for the outing is available online or by calling 732-856-8331.