The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation Brunch
The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation honored Marcia White, President and Executive Director of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and Alphonse Lambert, Athletic Director, Head Coach, and Physical Education teacher at Saratoga Central Catholic High School, at its twelfth annual fundraising brunch on Sunday, October 30 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
The brunch raises funds to provide substantial scholarships for college and post-secondary vocational education to local students by honoring citizens who contribute to education and community service in Saratoga Springs. The sumptuous food for the brunch is donated by Longfellows Restaurant each year, with numerous other area businesses and individuals providing products and services for the Silent Auction.
Mr. Lambert was introduced by Spa Catholic’s Principal, Stephen Lombard, who told several humorous anecdotes about his longtime friend. Ms. White was ushered to the stage for her remarks by an introduction from SPAC’s Director of Marketing, Shane Williams-Ness, who was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar many years ago.
In their comments, both honorees emphasized the importance of the Saratoga community in their work, and recognized the talents of the Foundation’s brunch director, Florence Andresen.
After the honorees remarks, Greg Grieco, the Foundation’s emcee for the brunch, made two special presentations. First, he recognized Rotarian Vic Cinquino, one of the founders of the Foundation in 1997, who has retired from its Board of Directors. Greg also noted the recent generosity of Carol Cudney, who made a $25,000 gift to the Foundation in honor of her late husband, longtime Saratoga Rotarian Jim Cudney.
Towards the end of the program, recent Saratoga Rotary Presidential Scholarship recipient Travis McGrath, who graduated from Bard College in 2011, thanked the Foundation and the Club for their support in achieving his educational goals. The brunch ended with songs by the Skidmore Dynamics, an a cappella singing group from the college. As the guests picked up their silent auction items and prepared to depart, Sam Aldrich signed copies of his new book at the checkout table.