Having made its debut in 2005, the SOMEF Quiz Bowl attracts hundreds of local residents of all ages who compete “Jeopardy” style to support SOMEF’s programs for the South Orange & Maplewood public schools. Thirty – forty teams made up of 3-5 contestants from kindergarteners through adults enter the Quiz Bowl held at a local school. Teams face off to answer age-appropriate questions prepared by committee members including SO/M teachers in categories ranging from “hurricanes” to “history” to “hodgepodge.” Contestants include teachers and principals, parents and Columbia High School alumni, board of ed members, and students from all nine SO/M schools.

With families, friends and neighbors cheering on their teams, the Quiz Bowl rallies the entire community in support of the South Orange-Maplewood Education Foundation’s programs that enhance the educational experience for all students and staff in the local schools. School staff personalities are on hand to serve as MC’s and to pose questions to the teams. Local celebrities in the role of “Vanna White” to add to the fun. Revenues from the event are generated both by the entry fees contributed by each team and by program ads. Refreshments and prizes round out a great afternoon that raises $15,000-$30,000 for SOMEF.

SIGN-UP NOW! THE SOMEF COMMUNITY QUIZ BOWL RETURNS
ON MARCH 29, 2009 AT JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

All are welcome to participate by entering teams, advertising in the program, or helping on the planning committee. For more information, contact event chair, Judy Rubashkin Martel at 973-378-5948 or jeffmartel@comcast.net. Or enter now. Download forms for entry and program journal ads, and pay by mail or online via PayPal (for donations of $50 or more

SOMEF NIGHT OF 100 DINNERS

Since its inception in 2005, the Night of 100 Dinners has become a signature event for SOMEF in South Orange and Maplewood. Every year SOMEF invites friends of the foundation to host simultaneous dinner parties on a Saturday night in January or February. Hosts submit their guest lists to the event committee, who send out invitations identifying the host and requesting a donation to SOMEF of fifty dollars or more per person to attend the dinner.
Hosts see the event as an opportunity to throw a great winter party while raising $300-$3,000 to help an organization that supports the local schools at the same time. For guests, it’s an attractively priced night out close to home, and a chance to enjoy a great meal and socialize with friends or new acquaintances. And for SOMEF, it is an evening of fundraising and friend-raising that is easy to plan and carry out.

Hosts decide what kind of party they’d like to give, from a candlelight dinner for eight to chili and beer for thirty, and everything in between. SOMEF arranges discounts for hosts at local wine and gourmet shops and supplies gift bags for guests to take home. With twenty to thirty Night of 100 Dinners parties held annually, SOMEF has raised more than $30,000 for the event in some years.

THE SOMEF COMMUNITY SPELLING BEE FOR ADULTS

Grown-ups nostalgic for the excitement of their school-day competitions and others who were coaxed into it geared up for the SOMEF Community Spelling Bee in 2002 and 2003 as a benefit for SOMEF’s ACHIEVE Volunteer Tutor Program. Spellers subjected themselves to this “embarrassment-free” contest with words posed by librarians from several South Orange & Maplewood schools. In teams of three, the spellers had opportunity to confer before offering their responses.  The librarian “Bee Keepers” chose the words from the official National Spelling Bee book, Paideia.  

Teams, numbering 30-40, adopted original names such as the “Do-Bees,” the “Dizzy Spells,” “Tired Married Men,” “Avenue Bee,” and the “Spellcheckers.” There were teams of teachers, book group members, firefighters, neighbors, and parents. The event even attracted former community members who returned to take part after having moved out of state.

Income from the event was generated primarily from team entry fees. Re/Max Village Square and Burgdorf Maplewood realtors were among businesses and groups that sponsored teams and purchased ads in the event program. The Spelling Bee surpassed the expectations of organizers, reaching $39,000 raised for the grassroots ACHIEVE program. The event provided crucial support for the program at a time when school district funding cuts threatened its future. Today, ACHIEVE enables 200 trained volunteer tutors to over 250 students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade every year.