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"Fran was a team player," said Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School Principal Kelly Maloney about Fran Perez, the variety show's namesake.
Perez died in December 2011, at age 44, of breast cancer. The Croton resident was a long-time teacher aide at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School. Maloney said the money raised through the event, which goes to support after-school programming, keeps Perez's community spirit alive.
The first recipient of the Fran Perez Memorial Scholarship was a second-grade girl. She joined an after-school Tae Kwon Do program.
Maloney said the $15,000 raised in 2012 is enough to finance after-school scholarships in the coming year. As a result, 2013 Perez-A-Palooza benefits the Croton Caring Committee. The committee assists elderly and housebound Croton residents, in addition to Croton residents in need of temporary assistance.
"With so many people being out of work and not having food to put on the table," Maloney said, those involved with the fundraiser felt it was appropriate.
The variety show has two performances, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 11. Both performances are held in the Croton-Harmon High School auditorium, 36 Old Post Road S., Croton. Tickets are available for purchase at the CET Elementary School main office for $8.
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