The Echo Charitable Foundation has a problem.
It holds an annual well-attended fundraiser – the next one will be Feb. 21 – and has helped dozens of Brookfield High School alumni over the years – six in the past year – but at a recent school function person upon person came upon the group’s table and asked “Who are you?”
“There are probably more people outside of Brookfield Township who know us than there are in Brookfield,” said board member Richard Pavone.
Echo was created in 2009 by members of the Class of ’71, and is a fund of the Community Foundation of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The group’s mission: “To inspire people of the community to make a difference in the lives of Brookfield High School alumni in need through financial generosity and volunteer commitment.”
That financial generosity goes to alumni who have “experienced exceptional circumstances and are in financial need,” the group said.
“If you’re a graduate and you’re in financial need, reach out,” said board member Taralee Johnson.
Reach out by going to Echo’s Facebook page, visiting the Community Foundation at 7 W. State St. in Sharon, or contacting any of the board members.
Financial awards are anonymous and only a small number of people in the foundation know who has applied. The committee as a whole, which votes on applications, doesn’t know who has applied, board members said.
The group will hold its next fundraiser Feb. 21 at Yankee Lake Ballroom. D.J. Bob Vaia, a Brookfield grad, will provide music and Jeffrey Chrystal Catering will serve the buffet-style meal.
There also will be a Chinese auction.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the meal will be served starting at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $35 each and are available at Yankee Lake Party Center, 1800 Route 7; Laddie’s Sky Club, 8189 Warren Sharon Road, Masury; Warehouse Sales, 200 Silver St., Sharon; and Shampooch, 2005 Pine Hollow Blvd. Hermitage. No tickets will be sold at the door and the last day tickets will be sold will be about Feb. 9.
Donations are always accepted and can be sent to the Community Foundation. Write Echo Charitable Fund in the memo line of any checks.
The board members said they will be at more school events this year to spread the word about the service they provide.
“We try to get the name out there,” said board member Denny Eli.
For more information, contact Eli at 330-503-1044 or Pavone at 330-272-6508. The committee members are accepting volunteers who want to work at the benefit. Call Eli if your company or organization would like to be a corporate sponsor.
