
PEF 42nd Annual Jazz Party
Please Support PEF’s 42nd Anniversary Jazz Party
Saturday June 14, 2025, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Hosted by
44 Riffle Camp Road, Woodland Park NJ 07424
Come celebrate our Awardees!!
The Irene L. Sterling Founders Award
Too Small to Fail
The Nelly Hidalgo Celi Partnership in Literacy Award
Dr. Brenda Belmont, Gilmore Memorial Preschool
The Executive Director’s Community Partners Award
Carolyn McCombs, New Destiny Family Success Center
The President’s Appreciation Award
Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter
Get your ticket or make a donation by clicking this link or by scanning the QR code below:

PEF Jazz Brunch
Celebrating 41 years of Education Advocacy for Paterson Kids!
Join us in honoring the incredible people who have impacted the lives of Paterson children through their support of PEF's work.
The Irene L. Sterling Founders Award
The Blum - Merians Foundation
The Nelly Hidalgo Celi Partnership in Literacy Award
Shanikwa Lemon, Beyond Books
The Executive Director’s Community Partners Award
Latysha Gaines, Berkeley College
Dwayne Beckford, Paterson Public Schools
Nakeia Wimberly, Paterson Public Schools
PEF Board Service Appreciation Award
Michelle Abel, Karen Brown
Orlando Cruz
Art Scialla

50 Book Club Student Celebration*
PEF partners with Paterson Public Schools and the Paterson Free Public Library to sponsor “The 50 Book Club.” Elementary school students are encouraged to read for pleasure. We had an awesome 2022/2023 school year! More than 1300 students read 50 or more books and received certificates of achievement and free books at our community “50 Book Club Celebration”. This year, our goal is to reach even more families and students than we have in the past and, by doing so, inspire a deeper love for and joy in reading.
*Please be aware this event is not open to the public.