Mike Cocciolilllo is the 2013 honoree at the Robbinsville Education Foundation’s annual Casino Night fundraiser.

ROBBINSVILLE  — Tickets are now on sale for the Robbinsville Education Foundation’s popular Casino Night fundraiser, when residents play for prizes in an event that raises money to support public school programs.

Casino Night, which this year honors Robbinsville PAL Jr. Ravens Vice President Mike Cocciolillo, will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, March 15, at John Henry’s Stone Terrace, 2275 Kuser Road in Hamilton.

Tickets for Casino Night cost $75 and include hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, cash bar, dessert and $100 in gambling chips for the casino games. Tumbling Dice, a state-licensed company that provides gaming tables, dealers and pit bosses to recreate the feel of a real casino, will be back again this year.

Chips “won” at the gaming tables are redeemed for coupons that guests use to bid on prizes, which this year includes a football autographed by Super Bowl MVP Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. Other prizes include iPad minis, Broadway show tickets, wine-tasting for 10 at Hopewell Valley vineyards in Pennington, a gift certificate for four free dance classes at the Dance Corner in West Windsor, a Kitchen-Aid mixer, a Vera Bradley backpack, and more.

The foundation’s 2013 honoree, Cocciolillo, a township resident who owns Triangle Copy in East Windsor, is a small businessman with a big heart that exemplifies civic mindedness, according to Schools Superintendent Steve Mayer.

“From the day I began as superintendent he offered to assist in whatever way possible to see that the schools move forward,” Mayer said. “He and Triangle have been strong partners to the school district.”

The Robbinsville Education Foundation (REF) depends on successful charity events, such as Casino Night and its annual golf outing, to raise the funds needed to provide educational grants to the schools. Over the years, the foundation has paid for books, equipment, guest speakers and technology that could not be funded through the regular taxpayer-supported school budget.

REF recently made a three-year commitment to provide the seed money needed to launch a pre-engineering program at Pond Road Middle School. REF provided the first $20,000 grant for the middle school initiative in September 2012.

The Casino Night fundraiser begins at 6 p.m., followed by the 6:30 recognition ceremony honoring Cocciolillo. Guests will enjoy butler-served hors d’oeuvres, including shrimp cocktail, Italian stuffed mushrooms, mini cheesesteak profiteroles, fish, and cocktail franks. A Tuscany table will feature an array of marinated grilled vegetables, imported cheeses, cured meats and old-fashioned Italian breads. For dinner, there is buffet-style vodka rigatoni, sautéed seasoned vegetables, broccoli rabe with garlic and oil, chicken, and macadamia-crusted tilapia.

Tickets cost $75 and are on sale through March 2. For a limited time, REF is also offering ticket purchasers “pre-event specials,” such as an extra $1,000 worth of gambling chips for and additional $50, and the opportunity to reserve a place in a special poker tournament sponsored by Mayor Dave Fried for $75.

To order tickets, go online to the Robbinsville Education Foundation’s website at www.refkids.org.