Local Democrats, Elks Club and Volunteers Team up to Treat Emergency Workers To St. Patrick’s Day Dinner PDF Print E-mail
Sunday, 21 March 2010 04:04
In light of the recent flood disaster in Bound Brook, Democrats transformed their planned St Patrick’s Day fundraiser to a dinner honoring the tireless work of emergency workers and volunteers

In an attempt to bring back a sense of normalcy to life in Bound Brook after the recent flooding, the local Democratic Organization decided to go ahead with a dinner planned for downtown, but needed a new location.  The Bound Brook Elks was contacted and the St. Patrick’s Day dinner was moved to that location.

“We dropped the idea of the event being a fund raiser and asked anyone who could, to pay the $25.00 fee.  We’re using that money for their dinner plus dinners for the volunteers and emergency personnel working to clean up our flooded downtown,” said Karen Carroll, chair of the Bound Brook Democratic Municipal Committee.  “So we changed this to be a community service event.”

Everyone enjoyed a great corned beef and cabbage dinner made by Ceil Brody, a Bound Brook resident and owner of What's In The Ice Box?, on West Main Street, Somerville, NJ.

Desserts, coffee, decorations and the many other items needed to run the dinner were generously donated by: Stop & Shop of Raritan, as well as Bound Brook residents John Zsilavets and Beverly Pranzatelli.

Carroll noted that Bound Brook’s Council members have been working along side emergency workers in spite of experiencing their own difficulties during the flood.  Council President, Tony Pranzatelli’s store on Main Street took in 3 feet of water, Councilmen Vinnie Petti and John Buckley both have homes in the affected flood zone.  “So, in addition to the need to re-establish their own lives,” Carroll said, “each of these men is working with rescue, emergency and inspection teams to expedite the clean up and restoration of power in the flooded area.

“I want to also thank all the volunteers who helped with the preparation of dinner, serving, clean-up, or in other ways.  With out the hard work of all involved it would not have been a success,” commented Carroll.  Those who volunteered included: Ceil Brody, Ben Auletta, Jr., Councilman Tony Pranzatelli, Beverly Pranzatelli, Judy Naturale, Jullie Sealy, Faith Giovino, Michael Goldberg, John Graf and Ed Potosnak, a Democratic candidate for the 7th Congressional District.

As well as serving those who stopped by the Elks building, dinners were prepared and sent to Borough Hall to feed the worn-out and hungry members of the police, rescue and OEM who could not leave their posts.  Pranzatelli said, “I was glad to be able to hand-deliver these dinners to our hard working emergency personnel.  Having experienced a personal loss myself, it is especially gratifying to see the town and all the different departments come together to help our people.”

“I also had an opportunity to walk the downtown area with Assemblyman Upendra Chivakula,” said Pranzatelli.  “It was good to see one of the state representatives from Somerset County taking an interest in the welfare of the town.”