Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik, right, raises the American Red Cross flag as part of Red Cross Month. Joining in the March 7 ceremony is Richard Rubin, executive director of the American Red Cross Westfield Chapter, left of Knapik, and invited guests, including several of the chapter’s board members and Steve and Sue Oleksak. The ceremony took place in the front lawn of City Hall. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – March is Red Cross Month and, in keeping with tradition, will be celebrated with the 22nd Annual Testimonial Auction on May 2 at the Tekoa Country Club, this year honoring host and hostess Steve and Sue Oleksak.
The Greater Westfield Chapter of the American Red Cross will be setting up numerous events in commemoration of Red Cross Month. Foremost among these is the annual auction and dinner.
“It’s always a great night,” said Richard Rubin, director of the Red Cross’s local division. “It’s by far our largest fundraiser of the year.”
The dinner always has a theme for the night. This year’s motif will be an oldies night. The bar will be redone to look like a soda fountain and guests can dress up in a variety of ways befitting to the era – anything from Fonzie’s jacket and hair to a full hippie outfit. Old-fashioned candy will also be available.
Cory and the Knightsmen, who have played at innumerable Westfield events for years, will be performing for cocktail hour and throughout the night.
Over 1,500 invitations will be going out this week to local businesses, supporters of the Red Cross, and regular invitees. Companies often buy their own tables.
In addition to a dinner and numerous silent and live auctions, with Bo Sullivan serving as the auctioneer for the night, the night serves to recognize a local hero or heroes for outstanding service to their communities. Last year’s honoree was Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield, Bill Parks. This year the dinner will recognize Steve and Sue Oleksak.
Sue and Steve Oleksak
“The common denominator for all these people we’ve honored is that they’ve all had a major, positive impact on our community,” said Rubin.
Steve is the head of local business Green Meadow Lumber, which has been the corporate sponsor for the Boys and Girls Club Golf Classic for over 25 years. Green Meadow has also been involved sponsoring teams in the Westfield Little League, some of which Steve and Sue themselves have coached. For all of March, Green Meadow will make a donation to the Red Cross with every mulch purchase.
“You just have to help wherever you can, however you can,” said Steve. His wife Sue served on the Red Cross’s Greater Westfield Board.
“The Red Cross does a lot in our community,” said Sue. “It’s great to help in any way you can.”
While the Red Cross is largely known for its international work, it is also deeply involved in local communities. Its Greater Westfield chapter performs regular blood collections ever year, aids in collegiate nurse education through both hands-on experience opportunities and academic training, and is heavily involved in supporting the Greater Westfield area’s veterans.
In addition to this fundraiser, the Red Cross will hold numerous other local events to commemorate the month such as blood drives, a Measles Drive Initiative at Walmart headed by Westfield High School Honors Society students who will man donation stations, general Red Cross collection canisters being put out in Westfield’s Dunkin’ Donut shops and a disaster relief drive on the city’s green by Westfield State University students.
