Local folks gathered Thursday at Red Bank Family EyeCare to support their efforts for helping Haiti’s eyes.
By DANIELLE TEPPER
RED BANK
Thursday, October 4: Red Bank Family EyeCare Open House
Tyrone Choate, optical manager at Red Bank Family EyeCare, spent all of July volunteering at Cap Haitian Eye Center in Haiti, where he was inspired to apply what he learned at home – before turning around and bringing something right back.
“The doctor there really impacted me,” said Choate. “He wasn’t doing it for the money, but out of the goodness of his heart.”
The CHEC operates solely on donations, so Choate worked together with Dr. Erin Curtis to organize last week’s open house. Their goal was to raise at least $2,640, which is what it costs to sustain the Haitian clinic for one month. The night raised $2,000 from over 150 people and a portion of all eyeglass sales will be donated throughout the month of October to reach the grand total needed.
Attendees checking out auction items at last Friday’s fundraiser for Lunch Break, held at the Two River Theater, below. (Click to enlarge)
For two hours, the eyecare center’s East Front Street offices welcomed a porch-spilling crown that came out to enjoy some complimentary hors d’ouerves from New Corner Restaurant, cupcakes from SugarRush, and wine from the Wine Cellar. There, locals could hear ChoateÂ’s story and donate to the cause directly or by way of purchasing glasses at their trunk show featuring Prodesign and Lilly Pulitzer. The main draw, however, was the gift auction; over 40 Red Bank businesses donated baskets.
“I cannot believe it,” said Curtis. “We have such an amazing Red Bank community of businesses who support each other.” Added Choate, “The biggest thing I learned in Haiti was the sense of community, how everyone works to help each other out, and the similarity between here and there is that I see that in Red Bank as well.”
SEA BRIGHT
September 28: HABCore Fundraiser at McLoone’s Rum Runner
HABcore, a not-for-profit organization that provides housing for the homeless, held its fifteenth annual fall gala, themed as ‘Showboat on the Shrewsbury, at McLooneÂ’s Rum Runner in Sea Bright. Tim McLoone & the Shirleys and Christina Penatello and Ken Hanson of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Red Bank provided the entertainment.
Over 130 guests attended, including board members, HABcore supporters, local politicians, and newcomers to the organization. With the help of a silent and live auction and 50/50 raffle, HABcore was able to increase the net revenue by 10 percent over last year’s event tally. All of the proceeds are put towards HABcoreÂ’s efforts to help the homeless.
RED BANK
October 5: Lunch Break Fundraiser at the Two River Theater
The theme was ‘Feeding the Hungry Starts With You’ as more than 400 supporters of Red Bank’s Lunch Break gathered at the Two River Theater Friday night.
The annual event, which is the main fundraising event for the soup kitchen, clothing source and provider of social services, featured food from the Red Bank Flavour restaurant consortium, 180 auction items – including a David Banegas portrait of Middletown’s Deborah Harry that was introduced, via pre-taped video, by the Blondie singer herself – and live entertainment by singer Pat Guadagno.
Special honors of appreciation were given to the Sickles Family and Sickles Market, Red Bank Catholic High School Youth, and volunteers Henk and Petra Vanderven for their dedication to Lunch Break.
COMING SOONÂ
RED BANK
Saturday, October 13: Fourth Annual BoozinÂ’ for Boobs Fundraiser
For the fourth year running, Jill Kinslow has organized a bar crawl for breast cancer awareness month. Over 700 people have already registered to drink across the town, hitting a total of eight bars in Red Bank. This rain or shine event will offer T-shirts on a first-come-first-served basis, food, 50/50 raffles, and pink beer (courtesy of Bud Light). Registration for BoozinÂ’ for Boobs will be at BranniganÂ’s Bar & Grill on the 13th for two hours prior to the crawlÂ’s kick-off at 2 p.m. All the money raised goes directly to the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. More information can be found here and here.
LITTLE SILVER
Friday, October 19: RBRÂ’s Let There Be Lights Cocktail Party
The Smiths at 33 Paag Lane in Little Silver will be hosting a cocktail party on behalf of the Buccaneer Athletic Foundation from seven to 11 p.m. on 10/19 to continue the campaign of lighting the Red Bank Regional High SchoolÂ’s athletic fields. Tickets are $250 a pop and will provide access to a gourmet meal, live music, open bar, and auction. Sponsorship opportunities are available at levels ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 which offer permanent signage and advertisement at the RBR football stadium. For ticket and sponsorship information contact [email protected] or call foundation president Cathy Reardon at 732-842-7025.
RED BANK
Sunday, October 21: Pizza Fusion Celiac Disease Fundraiser
Pizza Fusion will be donating 20% of the entire dayÂ’s proceeds to the Celiac Disease Foundation in the name of local Adrienne BenderÂ’s son Alex. Celiac disease renders peopleÂ’s immune systems unable to digest gluten. Pizza Fusion is one of the few places downtown that offers gluten-free options and just so happens to be AlexÂ’s favorite pizza joint. Mark the calendar and stop by for a safe slice to support the cause. More information can be found here, where donations can also be given directly.
RED BANK
Sunday, November 18: ‘Go Naked & Check Yourself’ Cancer Awareness Event
The second edition of this bared-hip charitable event raises the roof and awareness of detectable cancers at Teak Restaurant from 5 to 8 p.m. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Young Survival Coalition, Livestrong and The American Cancer Society.
Wells Fargo, Sugarush, Sweetest Sin Boutique, Teak and a bevy of Red Bank businesses are behind the call to action, which seeks to educate people in how to detect cancers before they grow to an unmanageable state.
The night will include complimentary champagne, appetizers, and cupcakes along with drink specials, a generous gift bag, fun prizes from local sponsors and auctions to further raise funds. Health experts, including Lisa Frank, president of the Young Survival Coalition, will be on hand to share knowledge and answer questions regarding detectable cancers, such as skin, breast and testicular, reinforcing the importance of preventative care.
To make the crowd feel more at ease with the idea of preventative self-checks, lingerie- and boxer-clad models have volunteered to join the party and campaign to Elect to Check. Cheeky event name aside, there will be no nudity.
To purchase tickets, please visit Sugarush or Sweetest Sin Boutique. Tickets are $35 in advance and or $50 at the door. A limited number of VIP tables will be sold for $500 (includes four tickets, VIP gift bags, wine and champagne). Tickets are going fast so get yours before they are sold out!
Done Good is redbankgreen‘s periodic look at who’s lending others a helping hand. To submit items for consideration, please email here.
