The Docs of Rock — a band of moonlighting medical professionals and educators, led by retired Ranney School Headmaster Emeritus and guitarist Dr. Lawrence Sykoff, Ed.D. (right) — take it Downtown on Sunday for a fundraiser supporting Lunch Break of Red Bank.
The singer is a practitioner in veterinary dentistry (Kristin Scott, D.V.M.). On keyboards we’ve got the feelgood sounds of a specialist in interventional pain management (Scott Woska, M.D.). The rhythm section consists of an orthopedic surgeon on the fat ‘n funky bottom (David Lessing, M.D.), and a dermatologist on the skins (Ken Grossman, M.D.).
They’re all at the head of the class, in a school of rock presided over by guitarist Dr. Larry Sykoff, Ed.D. — who’s apparently having the time of his life since retiring as headmaster of Ranney School.
Together they’re the Docs of Rock, and this Sunday evening, August 10, they’ll be helping the Red Bank-based nonprofit Lunch Break celebrate more than 31 years of service to the community, with a public-invited party at The Downtown.
Scheduled for 7 to 10 pm , it’s a serious night of fun for Lunch Break, the borough-based nonprofit whose executive director Gwen Love said, “Many people think Lunch Break is just a soup kitchen, but we are so much more.”
Besides serving almost 62,000 hot meals in 2013 alone, the Lunch Break pantry distributes emergency groceries, with a homebound delivery service for members of the community who are ill or disabled. The organization’s faility on Drs. James Parker Boulevard also runs a clothing distribution program, a special Suited for Success program for job seekers and new hires, a school-supplies backpack program, a Community Gardener’s Market, a Lunch Break Job Board and a free Internet Cafe for guests. There are cooking classes for children, dinner nights for the community at large, Dinner and Movie Nights monthly for the Boys & Girls Club, a toy distribution program during the holidays, and a range of resources designed to connect their clients with health and social services.
As Dr. Sykoff explains, “The Docs of Rock are committed to seeing that those who are less fortunate have access to food and basic social services. Lunch Break is a champion of such support, and we applaud their commitment and dedication to help those in need.”
There’s a suggested $20 donation per person at the kick off party. Also on the menu will be a live auction for a table for 10 (with premium seating) at Lunch Break’s annual Gala, to be held October 20 at the Navesink Country Club — as well as a 50/50 raffle (tickets $30) to raise funds for Lunch Break. The winner of the raffle, who doesn’t need to be present at time of drawing, will be announced at the Gala. Follow Lunch Break on Facebook or Twitter, and call (732)747-8577 x 3106 or email [email protected] for more details.