Special Events/Development

On Friday, March 14^th the YMCA of Western Monmouth County celebrated the 87^th Annual Black-tie Gala “The Greatest Gala on Earth” at Battleground Country Club. This truly was “the Greatest Gala” in the history of the organization. 350 guests danced till midnight to the tunes of Mission Dance and were entertained from the time they entered “the Big Top” for the cocktail hour right through dinner by magicians, stilt walkers and fire eaters provided by Alders Studios. The Gala Committee headed by Kenneth Thomson, Esq. and consisting of volunteers: Maureen Brown, Jean Castaldi, Debbie Miller, Janet Philliips, Jacque Preston, Patrick Preston, Anthony & Deborah Privetera, Marlene Rogala, Patricia Sage, Barry Sukoff and Nannie Wyatt worked especially hard this year to secure sponsors for the ad journal and over 65 gifts for the silent auction. Big Top Sponsors of the event in the $5,000 category included: Central Jersey Bariatrics, LLC; Heilbrunn Pape & Goldstein; Rosenfarb Winters LLC and Central Jersey Emergency Medicine Associates

Abraham S. Opatut and Jack Aaronson were the guests of honor for the evening as they received the Community Service Award for their years of generosity and dedication to the YMCA and the entire community. Their families and friends were on hand to share in this momentous occasion

486 out of 500 tickets were sold for the Super 50/50 raffle. The winners were: First Prize of $17,010 to Mr. & Mrs. Mark Woodside of Freehold; Second Prize of $4,860 to Michael Weitz of Morganville and Third Prize of $2,430 was shared by Merrill Tilker of Colts Neck and Mark Kolessner of Freehold. Mr. & Mrs. Mark Vernon were the lucky winners of the trip to Puerto Rico.

The proceeds of the gala, $85,000, the highest amount that has ever been raised by this event, will benefit the YCares Financial Assistance Program. For information about joining the Gala Committee or becoming a sponsor for the 2009 Gala, call or e-mail Annie Stattel at 732-462-0464 ext. 132 or astattel@ymcanj.org.

The YMCA of Western Monmouth County participates in the YCares Financial Assistance Program that enables our association to offer our programs and services to all members of our community regardless of their ability to pay our board approved fees. Scholarships for membership and programs are granted to those who qualify and are based on a sliding scale fee schedule. This program is supported by funds raised at our Annual Golf Outing, Annual Black-tie Gala, Annual Support Campaign and donations received throughout the year. Applications for the YCares Financial Assistance Program are available in the Membership Department and by contacting the Directors of any of our branches.

Each year YMCA’s across the country embark on an annual support campaign designed to raise funds for the YCares Financial Assistance Program. The YMCA of Western Monmouth County has joined a unified effort spearheaded by the YMCA of Greater New York that is spread over several states on the east coast. By joining this effort we are able to take advantage of media opportunities as well as collateral materials for the campaign, thus keeping our expenses at a minimum. For example, there have been several advertisements on TV and radio about the campaign that feature Marcia Gay Harden, Oscar winning actress, who is not only the Chairperson for the campaign, but also a member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater New York. This year our goal for the campaign is $50,000 so far we have raised $26,000. For information about giving opportunities please call 732-462-0464 ext. 132

The donor wall in our new lobby still has room for your name! Please contact Annie Stattel 732-462-0464 ext. 132 for information

Hundreds of stores to choose from that will give contributions to our Y just because you shopped!