PTO Raises $14,000 for William Annin at Fundraiser

With another round of school budget cuts on the horizon, parents and community members have stepped up their giving, raising large amounts in school fundraisers to support education in Bernards.

The William Annin Middle School PTO recently raised $14,000 at a single fundraiser event, held on April 30 at the Basking Ridge Country Club. Former Miss New Jersey turned comedian Dena Blizzard provided the entertainment at the "Lunch and Laugh," which was attended by a record number.

"This was the best attendance we've had since we started the event," William Annin PTO co-president Candy Hull said. "We had over 240 people, which was astounding. The comedian was hysterical. I think a good time was had by all."

The PTO made a profit off of each ticket sale, and also had a silent auction, basket raffles and hosted a number of local vendors, who donated 20 percent of their sales to the school.

Hull said that William Annin Principal Karen Hudock is working with the PTO to determine how the money could be spent. "Our principal is coming up with a wish list right now, due to the budget cuts," Hull said. The PTO will likely buy computer mice for the Middle School's laptops, and is also considering picking up the cost to renew the library's magazine subscriptions for the children to continue to use.

Other potential uses of the funds are still being determined.