WESTFIELD – If your forte is answering trivia questions from pop culture, music, history and sports, mark March 11 on your calendar for the second annual Shamrock Showdown Trivia Night at the East Mountain Country Club.
The event, sponsored by the Westfield Foundation for Education (WFE), starts at 6:30 p.m. with light snacks and dessert, a cash bar and a chance to preview a variety of raffle prizes and silent auction items. The trivia contest begins at 7, featuring 10 rounds with breaks in between.
“This is our second annual trivia night and we are hoping it continues to be successful in order to keep it an annual event,” said Amber Danahey, president, WFE.
The mission of the WFE is to inspire the students of the Westfield public schools through funding of innovative education and enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the resources of the City of Westfield. WFE was created to address local school budget cuts and a decrease in Chapter 90 aid by the state. The WFE Grants Program is financed through privately raised funds.
“The foundation is a vehicle for the community to show support for our teachers and students, and a way to keep education in the forefront in a positive light,” said Danahey.
The WFE, an all-volunteer organization, was established in 2013 with the goal of providing city schoolchildren with robust, challenging educational experiences in mathematics, sciences, athletics, and the humanities. The organization operates independently from the Westfield school department. Representatives from the Westfield School Committee and the City of Westfield school department, along with local business owners and community members, serve as volunteers.
School Committee member Cindy Sullivan serves on the WFE as an advisory member.
“The WFE is an amazing organization with volunteers who are committed to raising money so teachers have the opportunity to apply for grants to add to the innovation in the classroom or after-school activities,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan noted that as a parent of two children in the city public school system, she “appreciates” all the opportunities the foundation has given to local teachers.
“The teachers who apply for the grants have shown creativity beyond our expectations and that only benefits the students in Westfield,” said Sullivan. “The community should support WFE’s fundraising efforts because it’s an investment in our students. There is nothing more important that I can think of than that.”
Jay Cote of DJ Jay Entertainment will serve as the evening’s trivia moderator.
“Teams are not required,” said Danahey. “We are not putting any rules on participation.”
Danahey said that prizes will be simple – “bragging rights, a trophy and a gift certificate.”
The cost of the evening fundraiser is $25 per person. Danahey noted that young people are welcome to attend; however, the questions are targeted to an “older than kids” audience.
For tickets or more information, contact Janine Queenin, WFE’s vice president, at (413) 568-5082 or via email to [email protected].
Businesses interested in donating prizes for the raffle are welcome to contact Queenin for more details. Gift baskets will be donated from each school and a silent auction is planned for higher-end prizes, including a four-pack of Disney Park hopper passes and tickets to a preseason Patriots game.
“Area residents should participate in this event because it is a great way to creatively support the students in our schools,” said Danahey. “It’s a fun night out that supports local businesses in both patronage and recognition and helps the students at the same time.”
