Clearview aims to bring in $25,000
This February marks the fourth year Clearview Regional High School will host Hoagies 4 Hope. The purpose of the event, which is held in the high school auditorium on Feb. 4, is to raise money for individuals and families with difficult medical situations in the school district.
Inspired by similar events held in South Jersey, such as Washington Township’s Helping Hands Hoagie Sale, Hoagies 4 Hope’s message of inclusion has been woven into the fabric of the community.
“Principal (Keith) Brook came to me a few years back and said we need to do this at Clearview,” said school counselor and Hoagies 4 Hope lead Paul Sommers. “Since that time, we have seen the program just continue to grow with the full support of the students, faculty and the generosity of the community.”
The fundraiser gains its success from the steadfast work ethic of faculty and students — the backbone, along with sponsorships from more than 100 local businesses and a positive and helpful community.
“It’s not an obligation; it’s just what we as a community believe in,” explained local resident Scott Muscarella, president of Agency|51 Advertising whose company provides free advertising support for the event.
The inaugural event raised more than $6,000; last year’s event brought in more than $20,000 — it’s working. The goal this year is $25,000.
The success is not determined simply by the dollar amount, but also by the number of enthusiastic students who participate. Emboldened in Clearview Hoagies 4 Hope T-shirts, more than 100 students from Clearview, Harrison and Mantua township schools gather in the high school auditorium on Super Bowl Sunday and hand-craft each hoagie. Italian, turkey and ham are the options, and there is a full hoagie tray option as well.
“We know how important this is to everyone involved,” Brook said. “There are more students than seats, so we actually have two sessions of students coming in to make the hoagies. It is truly amazing to see the Hoagies 4 Hope effort come together each year.”
The Liccio family donates the meat for the hoagies, and impassioned community members who wish to help keep this event growing purchase additional ingredients. Included in the ingredient list are freshly sliced Dietz & Watson deli meats and cheese, lettuce, and tomato piled high on two-foot long freshly baked hoagie rolls.
Sommers explained the event falls on Super Bowl Sunday each year because it gives people the opportunity to help out in the community and get a tasty, ready-made meal for the big game.
But, more importantly, Sommers said, “[Hoagies 4 Hope] gives people who are struggling during the winter season hope moving forward. It is the definition of a community fundraiser and partnership.”
To order, log on to Facebook, visit the Hoagies 4 Hope page, follow the link to the PDF order form and see further instructions. The deadline for all orders is Jan. 25. Pick-up is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 4 in the Clearview High School auditorium.
