Turf Fundraiser at Spanish Pavillion

Only thirty minutes after the Spanish Pavillion opened its doors on Saturday night, Jan.16, the restaurant was packed with supporters of the Springfield Athletic Turf Foundation (S.A.T.F.).

The Spanish Pavillion event follows last month's fundraiser at TGI Friday's on Rte. 22. The group hopes to raise money and awareness for building turf athletic fields at Springfield's Jonathan Dayton High School.

With the purchase of a $50 ticket, attendees enjoyed a buffet and an open bar offering beer, sangria, and soda. Dayton Football's head coach, Joe George, joked, "I'm here to support a great cause…and because I heard the food is excellent!"

Most, but not all of the familiar faces in the crowd were parents of Jonathan Dayton athletes.

Donna Carlucci, treasurer of S.A.T.F., said, "Whether or not my child plays on that field, this town, and the children of Springfield, deserve a safe and modern athletic facility."

Spanish Pavilion owner and Town Committee member Jerry Fernandez was enthusiastic about housing the fundraiser, citing a stronger sense of Springfield unity as his goal for the project.

"To be able to bring out our community, in our own town, instead of going to Union to watch the games would be a great way to build community pride"

With the event, S.A.T.F. raised over $4200.

Nonetheless, the foundation is still a long way from reaching their approximate goal of two million dollars.  They hope to have enough funds to start work on the new turf facilities by the start of 2011, but are willing to work for as long as it takes because as Springfield Athletic Turf Foundation supporter Carmine Forte put it,

"It's all about the community and it's all about the kids".