School district’s annual Super Bowl Hoagie Fundraiser benefits local residents
This year marks the eighth annual Super Bowl Hoagie Fundraiser. The Monroe Township School District is partnering with its neighbors from Washington Township to reach as many people as possible.
Ron Lucarini, one of the organizers of the “Helping Hands Super Bowl Hoagie Sale” in Washington Township, said the event was started to help people in need of assistance with medical concerns. Washington and Monroe townships will choose their own recipients of their fundraisers.
The hoagies come two-feet long but are cut in half and come in turkey or Italian. Hoagie trays are available for $50 each and feed 10–12 people. Orders can be placed through email to Maureen Coelho at mcoelho@monroetwp.k12.nj.us or through an order form at any of the Monroe Township Schools. The order form can be found on the website at https://www.monroetwp.k12.nj.us/. Orders are to be placed by Feb. 1.
Checks can be made payable to WTEF. The hoagies can be picked up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Williamstown Middle School in the fifth- and sixth-grade entrance on Feb. 3. Coelho can be reached for questions and more information at (856) 629–7444 ext. 3040 or by email at mcoelho@monroetwp.k12.nj.us.
Lucarini said that between the two towns more than $50,000 is raised during the hoagie sale.
He added the hoagie sale was a concept created by students 25 years ago.
“Originally we had a bunch of kids get together to come up with community service ideas,” he said. “They came up with the idea of a hoagie sale where they’d make individual hoagies.”
He said Super Bowl Sunday was a mutually agreed on date and changed the individual hoagie concept to a two-foot hoagie assembly line to encourage teamwork between student volunteers.
Coelho, the chair of Monroe Township’s Hoagie Sale, said last year they sold 900 hoagies. This year they are trying to sell more than 1,000.
“We try to demonstrate by example,” she said. “I sent emails to club advisors and coaches to get the kids involved.”
Coelho is trying to integrate the school with the community. During the four hours at the middle school, she said middle school cheerleaders will be there from noon to 1 p.m., the ROTC might make an appearance, as well as other clubs. She said the drama club will be there selling tickets to its spring show “Beauty and the Beast.” The biggest participant of the hoagie sale is the football teams in town, according to Coelho.
Community members who can’t make it out to volunteer the day of the sale donated snacks to sell. Cases of water are donated as well.
Each volunteer will get a certificate of participation that can be used in their portfolio, according to Coelho. She said the kids can receive service hours for National Junior Honor Society.
Volunteers will receive a T-shirt with the names of local businesses who support the hoagie sale on the back. The proceeds go toward the fundraiser too.
The best part, in Coelho’s eyes, is seeing the community work hard for others.
“We can see the people that need help, and there’s nothing you can do,” she said. “You can see the effects right away. It’s important to help all over, but it’s nice to see it at home.”
Being a leader to the kids isn’t something Coelho takes lightly. She is a walking example of actions speaking louder than words.
“Sometimes you can say something, but doing it and them seeing you, is a big statement. It builds trust between us and the community,” she said.
