In advance of Valentine’s Day, the heart of the Washington Township Public Schools’ staff, students and families – and members of the greater Washington Township community – showed out during the 27th Annual Helping Hands Hoagie Sale. With assistance of Liscio’s Family Bakery owners and operators Chad Vilotti and James Liscio, and the staff at their three stores, the District raised $17,000 to help local families in need – $10,000 of which was realized through the Liscio’s partnership.
Since COVID-19 protocols prevented student volunteers from assembling and selling hundreds of hoagies, as in years past, Liscio’s agreed to sponsor a promotion that had 25-percent of all hoagies and hoagie Trays – purchased in their stores from February 1-9, 2021 using a special QR code – donated to the Helping Hands Hoagie Sale fund.
An additional $7,000 went to cause through the sale of T-shirts, donations to the Washington Township Education Foundation (WTEF), which sponsored the event, and a $1,000 gift from the Turnersville Auto Mall. All monies raised will be donated to local families who are facing medical setbacks and related financial hardships.
“We are thrilled that this partnership with Liscio’s paid such big dividends in such a short period of time for Washington Township families,” said Superintendent of Schools Joe Bollendorf, who brokered the community service arrangement. “As I stated before, we will be forever grateful to Chad Vilotti, James Liscio and the Liscio’s Bakery family for stepping up to help us re-imagine our District’s signature fundraising event to the benefit of so many in need. Our community is so giving and charitable and never disappoints when we enlist help. It warms my heart and makes me proud to see our community’s remarkable response.”
"This year's Hoagie Sale, being completely restructured, was as gratifying as any other sale previously held,” WTEF president Charlie Doud said. “Thanks to an unbelievable partnership with Liscio's Bakery, we once again proved that Washington Township is an extraordinarily generous town. We, again, will be able to support some families in dire need of both financial and, more importantly, emotional support.”
Liscio’s Family Bakery owner and operator Chad Vilotti presents a check for $10,000 to WTEF President Charlie Doud in support of the 27th Annual Helping Hands Hoagie Sale.
