Caribbean Festival raises $3,500 for every school

Date: 11/18/2008

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW Even though Center Field was flooded the morning of Sept. 7, the third annual Caribbean Festival managed to pull through and take place, thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers. Residents came out to enjoy the day of music, food and fun and the festival ended up making $18,000, all of which was donated to school Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs).

Chris Graziano of Graziano Gardens, the organizer of the Caribbean Fest, presented checks for $3,500 to the PTOs of each of the East Longmeadow Public Schools, last Monday. The donations will be used for enrichment programs at each school as determinded by the PTO.

The funds cover things that aren't included in the regular school budget.

"It was very impressive to see the community and the PTOs come together with one common goal," Heidi Vedovelli, a member of both the Meadow Brook and the high school PTOs, said. "This is a significant fundraiser."

She explained that teachers share their requests with the PTO either at the beginning or the end of each school year, and the PTO decides which projects to fund.

"We felt it was going to be challenging this year [raising funds], but we're happy with the amount donated," Vedovelli said.

Graziano agreed. "Eighteen thousand dollars isn't bad, considering the hurricane...and the economy," he said. "It was harder to collect money this year, but it feels great to donate what we can."

He noted that in the past three years, the Caribbean Fest has raised $58,000 for the schools.

"I think we owe you a great debt of gratitude," Superintedent Edward Costa told Graziano. He also thanked Board of Selectmen member Joe Townshend who offered his assistance as both a selectman and a business owner during the festival.

"It's a one day fundraiser with eight months of work," Costa said. "There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears...and wet feet."

Graziano said he has already started planning for the 2009 Caribbean Festival.