Children's Aid and Family Services Annual Gala

CAFS Annual Gala There's No Place Like Home was the theme for the event held March 27th at the Hackensack Golf Club. Characters from OZ were there as well as silver inflatable OZ letters suspended from the ceiling. Lined along the tables were gifts that were included in the Silent Auction as well as an auctioneer asking for bids on spectacular offerings.

Emcee Erik Sorenson, (1st Vice Chair of CAFS Board of Trustees), introduced auctioneer Rob Gawley who limbered his voice and started off with bidding for a round of golf with NY Giants punter Jeff Feagles and Jim Whaley as well as lunch at the Ridgewood Country Club. Gawley went right in to the next offering, an offer by author Harlan Coban to be written in to one of his upcoming stories. This gave www.ParamusPost.com the idea of offering a Personal Profile for the next auction, we were a little late for this one.

CAFS Gala Night Other items offered for this auction were: a Hot Air Balloon Ride, a Catered Cocktail Party, a Kiawah Island Getaway, a Ride for three in the Horizon Blimp, Paintings, Jewelry and a Private Plane Ride.

A lavish dinner reception included many types of hors d'oeuvres brought to the tables and standees by Hackensack Golf Club wait staff. By visiting the various stations, one could get Sushi, Turkey, Finger filet steaks, BBQ Pulled Pork and Fried fish Sandwiches.

The Dessert Station had Funnel Cakes, Fried Cookie Dough on a stick, Deep Fried Oreo Cookies and many varieties of pies.

Carol Whaley and Bernadette Davis were the Co-Chairs for this event. They were aided by Laueen Auerbach, Bayne Belair, Barbara Brady, Martha Fickinger, Brenda Gallagher, Stephanie Karl, Marie Adler-Kravecas, Michael Laheney, Katherine Lucas, Lynn McBeth,, George Nista, Nina sharma and Nancy Slott.

One would be remiss if they didn't mention the President and CEO of CAFS, Bob Jones, Ph.D. aka Dr Robert B. Jones who welcomed the burgeoning crowd before turning over the microphone to the emcee.

The evening's sponsors were: Helen's Hope Foundation, Irwin Franchise Capital, Applebee's, BD, Boiling Springs Savings Bank, Brenda & Frank Gallagher, Ellen & Michael Jacobs, Hudson City Savings Bank, Mutual of America, TD Bank, Toys "R" Us, Inc., Town News and Wyeth. Among the Supporters & Contributors was IBEW Local 164.

People that I knew were Bob Jones, Donna Kennedy, Madinah Grier, Liz Mason and Fred Rohdieck, President Paramus Chamber of Commerce, and Sheila Riccardi. It was a pleasure to greet them.