By DENISE HERSCHEL
With more than 100 attending last year’s Children’s Fashion Show fundraiser for the Tinton Falls Library, hopes are high that this year’s second annual show will be met with the same success. After mold was discovered at the public library over two years ago, the facility has remained closed indefinitely until work can be done to reopen it, much to the dismay of many Tinton Falls residents. But with this weekend’s scheduled fundraising event, library patrons and supporters are optimistic that proceeds will help to reopen the library.
Scheduled for Sat., Feb. 29 at 1 p.m., the event will be held once again at Mahala F Atchison Elementary School, 961 Sycamore Ave. Tickets are $25 for VIP seats which are reserved seats and closer to the stage. Tickets are $20 for general admission with first-come, first-served seating.
Ellen Goldberg, chairperson of the fashion show, is again coordinating the event.
“I have many members of the library board who are helping with the show prior to the date of the show and others who are volunteering on the day of the show,” she said. “Most of those who are involved either live in Tinton Falls or are former residents.”
Goldberg initiated the concept for a library fundraiser as she said she was “a concerned citizen who came forward at multiple town council meetings” about her concern for the library being closed.
“I volunteered to help fundraise to have it reopened. Our official name is the Tinton Falls Library Association. I was recently voted onto the board of the library association,” she added. “This idea came about when we were brainstorming ideas for fundraisers at the end of the summer 2018. I suggested this as an idea because a friend of mine had run a children’s fashion show for our temple a few years ago. I know that I could go to her for help and advice.”
The Gap of Shrewsbury is sponsoring the Children’s Fashion Show with their spring clothing being featured. Children in grades K-5 from the Tinton Falls schools will be the show’s models.
“Several of the girls have had some experience as models. A mother of one of the girls in the show is a professional model and will help the children rehearse how to walk on the runway before the show. Dawn Trembley, the GAP manager, is super! She and two people from the store will work with the models. They did a fabulous job last year!” she said.
The library is closed indefinitely until the work can be done to reopen it.
“We need to raise money, get the state grant and be supported with town money as well,” she said. “.No work has been done yet and we are not sure of the total amount that will be needed. We obviously want this to happen as soon as possible so our residents can once again use the local public library.”
All of the proceeds from this weekend’s fundraiser are going to continue to go toward a matching grant to help remediate, renovate and reopen the borough library.
Goldberg believes that what has continued to make the fashion show a success is having so many people help with this event.
“We need more community involvement during this rough time. At the very least, we need the support of the community by attending the events and bringing as many people with them as possible. We have sponsorships available as well as personalized bricks to be purchased for $100 that will be permanently displayed on the walkway in front of the library,” she said.
To learn more about the library’s fundraisers go to their website at tintonfallslibrary.com. Tickets for the fashion show on Saturday, February 28 will be available to purchase at the door. All are welcome to attend.
