A chance to be in the audience for some of the most popular major network TV shows. Sought-after seats for NFL games. Even an opportunity to host your very own episode of Antiques Roadshow. When the annual benefit gala for the Red Bank-based nonprofit Lunch Break takes place on Friday, October 21, attendees will enjoy the opportunity to bid on a collection of exciting prize packages — and even if you can’t be there in person for the event hosted at an Eatontown residence, you’ll be able to place a bid on any of the offered lots, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday.
By going here to register, you’ll be able to use the eBoost app on your smartphone to make donations, preview and bid on items put up for auction, both online and live at the 7 p.m. gala.
Three generations of the Sickles family — Bob, Robert and Tori — were present on September 13, when Sickles Market hosted a first of its kind, farm-to-table fundraiser for the ongoing restoration of the 17th century Parker Homestead, as well as for the programs of the Monmouth County Historical Association. Guest auctioneer Nicholas Dawes of TV’s ANTIQUES ROADSHOW (inset) raised $36,000, and the silent auction at the “As It Grows” event raised over $11,000. More than 250 guests enjoyed a casual, food-station style affair catered by the David Burke Restaurant Group, with raw bar by Lusty Lobster, wines by 4JGs Vineyards, and a farmstead cheese table provided by co-sponsor Sickles Market.
Nick Dawes of the PBS series ANTIQUES ROADSHOW is the guest auctioneer — and Brian Kirk and the Jirks provide the soundtrack — as Red Bank’s Lunch Break celebrates 31 years of service during the annual Gala at Navesink Country Club.
Press release from Lunch Break Inc.
On Monday, October 20, Lunch Break will host its fifth annual Gala at the Navesink Country Club in Middletown. Presented under the theme of “Hope Happens Here,” the evening will celebrate 31 years of dedicated service to the community by the Red Bank-based nonprofit, in addition to honoring several individuals for their steadfast commitment to the Lunch Break mission.
Presentations will be made of the “Norma Todd Service Award” to Paul and Margo Hooker, the “Heart to Hand Award” to Inice Hennessy and Pamela Elam, the “Beacon of Service Award” to Carol Ingaro and Leigh Stoecker of Fringe Marketing, and the “Future Charitable Leaders Award” to Katie and Taylor Gill.
The evening will also include a spirited dinner reception, live and silent auctions, and a 50/50 raffle, with live entertainment provided by Brian Kirk and the Jirks. Special guest will be one of this country’s most experienced charity auctioneers — Nick Dawes, Vice President of Special Collections for Heritage Auctions in New York, and a familiar figure to millions through his expert appraisals on the PBS series Antiques Roadshow since the first season in 1996.
All net proceeds from the Hope Happens Here Gala will directly support Lunch Break’s critical programs.
One doesn’t have to look far to see the impact of the lingering economic downturn on the hungry and working poor among us. In fact, the New Jersey Poverty Research Institute concludes in a 2013 report that 25 percent of New Jersey residents are living in poverty. No wonder the demand for Lunch Break’s services has grown dramatically — and, to respond to that increasing demand and better serve the community, in March Lunch Break launched “Step Up To The Plate,” its $5 million capital campaign to enlarge the size and increase the functionality of its facility.
When the two-story addition is completed, the seating capacity in the dining room will be nearly doubled and there will be a new, larger, and more functional kitchen to serve the growing number of clients. The expansion will also provide space for a clothing “boutique,” a “choice food pantry,” reception and waiting areas, private social service and intake offices, a donation drop-off area, administrative offices, a conference and meeting room, data stations, a maintenance office, and restrooms.
Gwendolyn Love, Executive Director of Lunch Break, said at the March groundbreaking for the updated facilty that, “Thirty-one years ago Lunch Break began serving hot lunches to Red Bank residents. Today our reach has expanded and we serve our most vulnerable neighbors who come from every town in Monmouth County, and from many in Ocean County.
“Last year, we served over 61,000 hot meals. Our food pantry provides, on average, groceries to over 750 families every month. Our volunteers deliver meals to the homebound six days a week. In addition, we have a clothing distribution center that includes our Suited for Success Program that provides business attire for job interviewees. We also have an Adopt-a-Family holiday gift program, a Children’s Cooking Class, and a Gardener’s Market every Tuesday morning, year round, that distributes donated fresh produce. We offer internet services, employment information, and social, as well as health and wellness resources.”
All this, and more, is provided under the direction of the Board of Trustees along with Mrs. Love, her small staff, and an army of more than 2,000 devoted volunteers, and is supported through the generosity of residents and many organizations and businesses throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Hope happens here. So, please gather your friends and family and join Lunch Break at their Gala to celebrate 31 years of dedicated service. Our communities need Lunch Break and Lunch Break needs your support.
Tickets for the Hope Happens Here Gala are $160 and may be purchased online here. For additional information, please call Petra Vanderven at 732-747-8577, (732)747-8577, extension 3106, or e-mail her at pvanderven@lunchbreak.org.
Superstar chef David Burke — pictured at right, with former Ama Ristorante owner Pat Trama during post-Sandy relief efforts in Sea Bright — has created a special menu for As It Grows, a September 13 benefit gala for Little Silver’s historic Parker Homestead. (File photo)
Press release from Parker Homestead 1665
Come celebrate the American Farm at one of America’s oldest farmsteads — The Parker Homestead in Little Silver — on Saturday, September 13 at 6:30 pm. The event, titled “As It Grows . . ,” will feature a tribute to the local bounty of New Jersey with a one-time-only, farm-to-table menu created by celebrity chef David Burke.
In addition to locally grown produce, meats, cheeses and specialty food products the event will feature New Jersey wines grown and harvested by 4JGs vineyards in Colts Neck. There will also be a rare, collectable wines donated from private wine collectors available at the Premium Wine Bar.
Dance music will be provided by Rip Tide and the Bobby Lynch Band. A silent auction and a live auction filled with unique items will be led by Dawes, from Heritage Auction Galleries in NYC.
From left: RCDS Board President Shawn Reynolds, Christine Reynolds, Headmaster Chad Small, RCDS Board Vice President Danielle Devine Greene ’79 and Gregory Greene.
Press release from Rumson Country Day School
Family and friends of The Rumson Country Day School community came out to celebrate Headmaster Chad B. Small’s last year at the school, during the RCDS Gator Ball on Saturday, February 8.
Gator Ball is the Parent Council’s signature fundraising event of the year, and benefits a wide variety of educational programs for RCDS students. The black-tie event, which was held at the school’s completely transformed Blake Gymnasium, included entertainment by the popular Monmouth County band Brian Kirk & The Jirks, as well as silent auctions and a live auction led by Nick Dawes from the PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. Among the items auctioned was a final chance to serve as RCDS “Headmaster for a Day” with Headmaster Small, before the school year ends.
Nick Dawes of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW is the celebrity guest auctioneer at a gala for the Rumson Country Day School’s Horizons Rumson program, scheduled for November 2 at Rumson Country Club.
Press release from Rumson Country Day School
On Saturday, November 2, Horizons Rumson will celebrate 18 years of providing local at-risk students with summer academic and recreational enrichment at the Rumson Country Day School (RCDS), thanks to the vision of RCDS Headmaster Chad Small. Themed Small Beginnings…Broader Horizons, the Gala event, co-chaired by Maggie Riker and Lynn Spector, will honor Chad Small and his wife Susan for his leadership role in founding the program.
Held at the Rumson Country Club, the evening will feature dinner, dancing and a live auction run by celebrity auctioneer Nick Dawes, of PBS’ Antiques Roadshow. All proceeds will benefit the Horizons Student Enrichment Program, which strives to overcome the educational achievement gap through summer educational opportunities for low-income children, primarily from Red Bank.
Press release from Lunch Break Inc.
