A TASTE OF VINELAND & VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EVENT RETURNS ON OCTOBER 26

A Taste of Vineland: Enjoy an Evening Out as Restaurants Offer their Finest

Major Sponsors are:

• First Choice Freezer & Cold Storage and M & O Freezer and Cold Storage
• Donata Dalesandro as Main Street Vineland “Volunteer of the Year”
• The Flower Shoppe as “Business of the Year”
• Samuel Levy as “Lifetime Achievement Award” (posthumously)

Sponsorship Opportunities and Spaces for Interested Restaurants Now Available

Main Street Vineland’s signature fundraising event, its A Taste of Vineland & Volunteer Recognition Event, will return on Wednesday, October 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course. 4049 Italia Ave., Vineland.

The major sponsors for this event, now in its 11th year, are First Choice Freezer & Cold Storage and M & O Freezer & Cold Storage.

Vineland’s finest restaurants will be offering a vast array of delicious foods—main courses, appetizers, and desserts—at this event, which will also include a fabulous silent auction and much more. DJ Anthony (Tony) Gambino will be playing music to keep us all entertained.

Main Street Vineland will also recognize those of its volunteers who have contributed greatly to the work of the organization, as well as a “Business of the Year” and a “Lifetime Achievement Award” recipient who have worked closely with Main Street Vineland on its projects and initiatives.

Donata Dalesandro, who has been actively involved for years in so many Main Street Vineland events, will receive the “Volunteer of the Year” Award. She is being honored for her years of volunteerism at Main Street Vineland—from board positions to leadership of committees and teams to volunteering at events.

The Flower Shoppe (Maryam Nassiri) is being recognized as the “Business of the Year” for their close collaboration with Main Street Vineland on a number of projects and events including serving in leadership positions, and for working tirelessly to help plant flowers, hang garland, and keep our downtown looking beautiful.

Samuel Levy is being recognized posthumously with a ” Lifetime Achievement Award” for his years of service both to Main Street Vineland and to our City at large. Sam served as our recording secretary and was seen at nearly every meeting and event that Main Street has put on since its beginning.

Tickets are $40 and are on sale now, and proceeds will go toward downtown beautification, business recruitment and development, and events. Tables of 10 are available for $400. “The value of this great event will have a large, visible impact on our downtown and the important part our downtown plays in our city,” said Main Street Vineland Executive Director Russell Swanson.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are currently available and ad space is available in the event program book. A limited number of spaces are also available for restaurants that would like to be part of this event.

“This has been a wonderful opportunity over the years for sponsors and restaurants to be part of a popular event that has been a large draw each year,” Swanson said. “We also want to recognize our Main Street Vineland volunteers who have given so much of their time and talents this year—and in past years—to help us accomplish our goals.”

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

Tickets can be obtained online by going to the event link on the Main Street Vineland website—www.TheAve.biz. A limited number of tickets are available at the Main Street Vineland office. Please call their office at 856-794-8653 for more details.

For more information on this and other Main Street Vineland activities, please call their office, visit their website, or visit them on Facebook.

About “Volunteer of the Year”—Donata Dalasandro

Donata Dalesandro will be our “Volunteer of the Year.” She has served previously on our Board of Directors, and been a Chair of our Promotions Team and currently serves as chair of our Organization Team which is responsible for fundraising and volunteer recruitment and training. She is always there to volunteer—at meetings and at events and that’s what dedication is all about. According to Donata, “volunteering with Main Street Vineland has given me the opportunity to interact with a talented group of volunteers who want to draw people back to the downtown with interesting public events and attractions. To me, downtown Vineland is the heartbeat of the City and represents our history and future direction.”

About “Business of the Year”—The Flower Shoppe
The Flower Shoppe, and proprietor Maryam Nassiri will be our “Business of the Year.” Maryam is also no stranger to the VDID/Main Street Vineland having also served on our Board of Directors, Treasurer, past chair of our Design Team and a long term volunteer. She continues to offer her service and time as she volunteers to keep our downtown looking beautiful. Maryam says “giving back is what makes me feel fulfilled. I worked for many years with my parents on Landis Avenue, and I have spent many years shopping, eating and enjoying the Ave, so it brings me a lot of satisfaction volunteering with Main Street Vineland.”

About “Lifetime Achievement Award”—Sam Levy (posthumously)
Sam Levy who has contributed countless hours volunteering with Main Street Vineland and the VDID since its beginnings. Sam knew our organization better than anyone, attending all board meetings (serving as recording secretary), committee/team meetings, sub-committee meetings and events. He was a walking encyclopedia of everything Vineland. Our organization, community and world was truly made a better place from Sam’s place in it. He and his spirit exemplifies volunteerism at its finest.