Cynthia Neary, president of CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars of Westfield, introduces members of the Board of Directors and Officers, during a scholarship presentation at Westfield Middle School South in 2013. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – The Citizen Scholarship Foundation’s Westfield chapter of the Dollars for Scholars organization will be holding their annual paper shredding fundraiser on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the South Middle School parking lot at 30 West Silver Street.
They will try to eclipse last year’s fundraising total of over $1,000 and continue striving toward the mission of expanding access to undergraduate higher education for resident students of Westfield by raising funds and distributing these funds on a fair and nondiscriminatory basis.
For $5, participants may bring up to two boxes of documents for shredding, although items such as three-ring binders, batteries, electronics, large binder clips, vinyl, plastics, or x-rays are not acceptable for shredding.
CSF Board President Cynthia Neary said that the organization is still accepting applications and has received over 300 so far.
“We are in the midst of fundraising still. Last year we gave about $119,000 to 135 kids and we’re hoping to do even better this year,” said Neary. “Assuming the kids complete their applications fully, this should be a record year for us.”
Neary said that the CSF shredding fundraiser has averaged about $1,000 a year since it began.
As to why the organization isn’t referred to as simply “Dollars for Scholars”, Neary said that older chapters of the Citizens Scholarship Foundation often retain the CSF title.
“For us, as one of the oldest Dollars for Scholars chapters in the US – there are over 800 – we wanted to pay homage to our history as CSF and incorporate Dollars for Scholars as a tribute to our history,” she said, adding that neighboring and nearby communities such as Southwick, Granville, Easthampton and Northampton all have chapters, as well.
“Dollars for Scholars originated in Fall River, so Massachusetts has one of the highest numbers of chapters in the country,” said Neary.
According to CSF Westfield Publicity Chair Laurie Lombardini, Valley Green Shredding of Westfield will be donating equipment for the event so that all proceeds will fund scholarships for Westfield students.
“Last year we raised around $1,200 at the event,” she said, adding that the event is now in the fourth year of operation. “Scholarships are given to students based on their grades and volunteer work in the community.”
The retired Lombardini, who worked as a secretary in the city’s public school system, said that the organization benefitted both of her children during their school days and that was what made her want to get involved.
“Over 52 years, Dollars for Scholars has given out 5,744 scholarships to Westfield students and raised over $2,916,615,” she said, adding that scholarships range between $500 to $1,000 apiece.
“About 98 percent of the money that’s raised goes to the students because we have very little overhead,” said Neary, stating that the organization is completely volunteer run. “You’ll get calls from various charities and the person on the phone will say ‘I’m a paid fundraiser.’ But that’s not us – never has been the case, never will be the case with Dollars for Scholars.”
Any community members interested in joining or donating to the organization can visit their website at csfwestfield.dollarsforscholars.org or contact them via phone at (413) 568-2103, by email at [email protected].
