Contact: Dave Strochak, Elizabeth Avenue Partnership
908-965-0660 ext. 13
Elizabeth Avenue Partnership Receives Beautification Grant
Elizabeth Avenue---The Elizabeth Avenue Partnership (EAP) is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a grant from the Investors Savings Bank Charitable Foundation to support a Beautification/Educational Awareness Project on Elizabeth Avenue scheduled for Thursday, May 24th at 9 a.m. at Union Square Plaza on Elizabeth Avenue.
Children from Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy will be in attendance and assist with flower planting while watching a graffiti-removal demonstration from the Department of Public Works and a Safety Talk from an Elizabeth Police Officer. Representatives from the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership will be on hand with a visit from Mayor Chris Bollwage.
The EAP, which administers the Elizabeth Avenue Special Improvement District, will utilize the grant monies for the purpose of beautifying the district and educating children about the negative effects to a community of graffiti vandalism and positive effects of trees, plants and flowers. Students will also be taught about horticulture.
“We have placed a large focus on the Image and Appearance of our business district, realizing this element is paramount to keeping the area vital while attracting shoppers and helping our businesses succeed,” said Dave Strochak, EAP Executive Director. “This grant will not only help us educate children, but beautify a central area in our business district while teaching them about vandalism.”
The Investor Foundation philosophy is dedicated to supporting creative initiatives to diverse community organizations that support Arts and Education, Health and Human Services, Youth and Affordable Housing in the communities Investors Bank serves.
The partnership between Investors Bank and the EAP is a new one as the bank recently opened a branch in the City of Elizabeth, at 51 South Broad Street.
“Our focus at Investors Bank is to build strong business partnerships with each community we service,” said Carmen Rivera, Elizabeth Branch Manager. “It is not only a pleasure to help support the EAP but a necessity to be fully involved in such organizations to ensure that our towns are safe and clean and we can help educate the people who live and work in Elizabeth.”
The EAP has been operating since 1999 and is responsible for all aspects of managing the Elizabeth Avenue shopping district including, safety, security, street cleaning, parking, beautification, promotions and events.
Chairwoman Ivette Zeik-Fernicola has been involved with the organization for nearly 10 years and feels these type of initiatives are very important for the sustainability of Elizabeth Avenue.”
“We are so pleased to receive this grant from Investors Bank,” said Ivette Zeik-Fernicola, who is also a co-owner of Leonardo Jewelers, a second-generation business on Elizabeth Avenue. “A portion of the grant money will be put towards new flower planters, litter containers and renovations at Union Square Plaza, where most of our events are held throughout the year.” The other monies will go towards a demonstration by the Public Works Department on removing graffiti and the cost, manpower and long term damaging effects of this vandalism to a district.”
“A Master Gardener will be on hand to teach children about flower planting and the positive effects this has on an urban community.” We’re excited about this program,” she said.
For more information please call the EAP office at 908-965-0660 or visit us on Facebook at “Elizabeth Avenue – The Market” or www.elizabethavenue.org.
This Site Provided by Elizabeth Avenue Partnership 913 Elizabeth Avenue, Suite # 2A, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 Phone 908.965.0660 Fax 908.353.0989 eap@elizabethavenue.org
May, 2012
