AN EVENING AT TUSCANY CHEFS RAISING FUNDS FOR SALVATION ARMY

By Pam Bouchard

The Berlin Daily Sun

BERLIN–Thanks to the generosity of local chefs and some creative thinking on the part of Salvation Army board members, the local Salvation Army should get a much needed boost with this unique fundraiser.

Board member Sylvia Saladino said the local Salvation Army depends entirely on donations and the generosity of the public to help fund their programs. The non-profit organization has assisted hundreds of needy residents in the local area, but they are facing a financial crisis, as are many nonprofit organizations who depend on donations in order to survive.

Saladino noted the Berlin headquarters of the Salvation Army has seen a significant increase in people in need of services, but donations are decreasing as well, making it difficult to meet the needs of residents who rely on the Salvation Army to get them through some tough times. She said the Army served 943 on-site meals during the month of September, a hefty increase from previous years. The organization is also experiencing a 40 percent increase in the number of people using the site, which also includes an increase in the number of children being served.

“Three years ago there were only seven children attending summer camp and this year the number has risen to 36 and there’s a waiting list,” said Saladino.

She said the Berlin headquarters of the Salvation Army is almost like a mission corps. The local organization has no money, but the need for services is still there. She said the Army did mail appeals in the past and they depended on these mail appeals to keep them afloat, but many of the past benefactors have either died or moved away, resulting in a significant decrease in donations. While the Army did not get a lot of millworkers at Christmas, the organization did service more children last year. Donations from other communities did help and were greatly appreciated, but the programs administered by the Salvation Army can be costly. The after school program offered by the organization serves students in elementary school to age 12. It includes snacks and playtime and dinner before they return home. Children can also get breakfast after Sunday morning services.

This is the first such endeavor for the chefs, one of which is Saladino’s husband, Michael, who had always been the chef for the Army’s annual fundraising spaghetti dinner. The Army needed more money this year, so they decided to get all four chefs together for an Italian feast. For a donation of $40 per person, diners will be treated to a six course meal prepared by Mike Saladino, Candy Alonzo, Jack Piattoni and Liz Micucci Jackson. Advance tickets are available from Gill’s Flowers in Berlin, Saladino’s Restaurant in Gorham or the Town and Country Motor Inn in Shelburne. For those planning on attending, the date is Sunday, November 3, at 6 p.m. at the T & C. Call 752-1644 or 466-2520 for more information.