Over $7K Raised at SADD Dinner for the Troops
December 8, 2017
As it has been each year over the past decade, the 11th annual SADD Dinner for the Troop was once again a major success.
The dinner was hosted on Tuesday night in honor of Lt. Dennis Zilinski II, a CBA and West Point graduate who was killed in action in 2005.
The students from CBA SADD collaborated with Trinity Hall to serve the dinner to over 230 guests in the CBA Cafeteria, with assistance from Angelo’s Pizza and owner John Sanfratello. The CBA Mothers’ Club generously donated the dessert course.
The guests were treated to a keynote address by former U.S. Army Engineer Captain Liz Nagle, who gave an inspiring talk about the signs of leadership in everyday life. The Naval JROTC unit of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology presented the nation’s colors and also donated to the event.
When all was said and done, the night raised over $7,000, which will go towards purchasing Amazon Gift Cards for servicemen and servicewomen who are deployed during this holiday season.
Just last year, one of these gift cards landed in the hands of alumnus Chris Cauda ’08, who was serving in Afghanistan. To thank the CBA students, Cauda sent the SADD club a framed American Flag, which flew over the Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan this past summer. CBA SADD moderator, Mr. Bill Frake ’05, and club presidents Danny Smith ’18 and Quinn Kiernan ’18 display the flag proudly (right).
All of this in honor of one of CBA’s bravest, Lt. Zilinski. A 2000 graduate of CBA, Zilinski had been captain of the Colts’ swim team. He would also go on to become captain of the men’s swim team at West Point, where he received the Class of 1923 Memorial Award for Outstanding Member. Zilinski was a rifle platoon leader with Bravo Company, First Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, Third Brigade Combat Team (Rakkasans), 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
About Christian Brothers Academy:
Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) is a private, Catholic, academic preparatory school for boys located in Lincroft, New Jersey. Founded in 1959 and taught in the Lasallian tradition, CBA is dedicated to helping students become intellectually mature and morally responsible leaders for society. Through the combined efforts of the Office of Advancement and friends of the Academy, CBA awards over $1.5 million in scholarships and financial aid to current students. Experience the Academy at www.CBALincroftNJ.org.