CALDWELL COLLEGE STUDENT-ATHLETES VOLUNTEER AT TASTE OF THE CALDWELLS

4-1-09
CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation (CWCEF) held its annual fundraiser, Taste of the Caldwells, at Caldwell College on Sunday, Mar. 29. Several Caldwell College student-athletes volunteered at the event, which raised over $25,000 for teacher grants and school equipment for all of the schools in the Caldwell-West Caldwell School District. Assistant Director of Athletics Linda Cimino, who coordinates Caldwell College's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, worked with Ann Dassing of the CWCEF to provide the student-athlete volunteers.
 
The Taste of the Caldwells, held in the Student Center Cafeteria, is in its second year and offers a sampling of entrees, desserts and beverages from a variety local restaurants. Caldwell College’s student-athletes worked as servers at some of the food booths, bussed the tables and cleaned dishes as well as setting up for the event the day before and helping with the tear-down at the completion of the event.

“When Caldwell College signed up as a Platinum Sponsor for our event, we never expected them to get as involved as they did,” said Dassing, a member of the CWCEF Board of Directors and a Caldwell College graduate. “I have to say that we would not have been so successful, without the help from Caldwell’s Assistant Athletic Director, Linda Cimino and the student-athlete volunteers. Everyone from Caldwell College was so willing to help and anything we asked of them they did right away and with a smile. The students amazed all of us with their terrific work ethic and they really were a great representation of the high caliber of students that are at Caldwell College today. I am proud to say that I am an alum of Caldwell College and so happy that the school continues to produce talented, and successful graduates.”
 
Sister Patrice Werner, President of Caldwell College, was one of the many members of the community to partake in the delicacies offered at the Taste of the Caldwells.

“This was a great opportunity for the College and our students to partner with the community for a great cause,” she said. “The event itself benefits the education of our youth, which follows the Dominican tradition of education as well as the mission of Caldwell College. Whenever I see our students in the community, I am always impressed with how they comport themselves with dignity and class, and the student-athletes who volunteered were outstanding. Caldwell College, and the Caldwell community, are fortunate to have these fine young men and women giving of themselves for a worthy cause.”

Most of the Caldwell College student-athletes who volunteered are active with the College's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which is involved in community service, community engagement, campus events, charities and other activities. Cimino and the SAAC have played a major role in Caldwell’s participation in the NCAA Division II Community Engagement Initiative, which encourages students and communities to engage in shared experiences.

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