By Laura Stetser, Staff Writer @EHTCurrent @TheMomsBeat published February 4 2016

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The Community Partnership for Egg Harbor Township Schools, Inc. will honor three local “aces” on Saturday, Feb. 27, for their significant positive impact on the school district in 2015.

The brief ceremony will take place at the organization’s ninth annual February Dice and Dine FUNraiser set for 6 p.m. at Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield.

Michael Bray, proprietor of Passion Vines Wine and Spirit Company, will be honored with the Lou DeScioli Community Spirit Award; Michael Caiazza, long-time teacher and wrestling coach at Egg Harbor Township High School, will receive the George Wilkinson Staff Member of the Year Award; and EHTHS student Jamie Wechsler will receive the Student of the Year Award.

The George Wilkinson and Lou DeScioli awards are named in memory of former Community Partnership board of trustees members who set the bar very high with their civic-mindedness, selflessness, community pride and others-before-self mindset, according to a press release from the organization.

Instead of the traditional dinner dances of the past, Full House Casino Entertainment will be on hand providing live casino games including five blackjack tables, two craps tables, one roulette table and one Texas Hold 'Em poker table manned by professional dealers and pit bosses. Guests will receive chips included with their ticket price when they arrive.

“In the wake of the Atlantic City casino closings, and recognizing the fact that a high percentage of Egg Harbor Township residents are employed by the casino industry, we decided to pay tribute to that hospitality industry and incorporate a casino-theme into our event last year,” said Chip Donovan, president of the Community Partnership. “Our pre-event discussions revealed that many of our friends and co-workers are not gamblers. Ironically, the reason is they said they don’t know how to play the games and are afraid of embarrassing themselves at an actual casino.

“While last year’s event started out slowly, by the end of the night it was an effort to pry the guests from the table games. In addition to raising funds for Egg Harbor Township School District, we hope that our efforts will continue to empower more local people to gain the courage to try out their luck at the real tables in our neighboring Atlantic City.”

“Winnings,” which have no monetary value, can be exchanged for tickets used to win auction prizes.

Not a gambler? The party will also feature Atlantic City-inspired food stations, a two-hour open beer and wine bar, and an auction. Tickets are $85 per person. Sponsorship packages range from $500 to $5,000.

Established in 2005 and celebrating 10 years of support to Egg Harbor Township schools, the Community Partnership is an IRS-recognized public charity that has raised more than $350,000 for the largest school district in Atlantic County, the release stated. Over the past eight years, approximately $160,000 has been raised through this fundraiser.

Past event proceeds have provided two new computer labs at Dr. Joyanne D. Elementary School and the Alder Avenue Middle School, commercial kitchen equipment for the Egg Harbor Township High School field house/concession stand, an led marquee sign at the corner of High School Drive and English Creek Avenue, a Steinway grand piano for the district’s Performing Arts Center, and three high-definition digital cameras and upgrades for the high school’s television studio, EHT-TV.

The nonprofit has also funded the installation of two new playgrounds at C.J. Davenport and E.H. Slaybaugh elementary schools, AP tests for low-income students, start-up boys and girls lacrosse team equipment and uniforms, former professional basketball player Chris Herren and his anti-drug presentation for high school and middle school students, EHTHS alumni website hosting, iPads for students with autism at Miller Elementary; Renaissance Program funding and end-of-year student academic awards at Fernwood and Alder Avenue middle schools, a Leg-Up therapeutic horseback riding program for special needs students, district-wide, automatic external defibrillators and the Teacher of the Year county luncheon for EHT School District awardees.

To reserve tickets for the Feb. 27 event, for sponsorship information, or to donate an auction item, contact Ellen Gregory at 609-646-8441 ext. 1017, or via email to gregorye@eht.k12.nj.us.