effort to raise $107,000
for 9/11 monument
Golfers help raise funds
for Manalapan memorial
PBA Local 229 leading
effort to raise $107,000
for 9/11 monument
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN — More than 140 golfers participated in a recent event that will help the township construct a memorial to the victims of 9/11.
The golfers paid $150 each to participate in the Manalapan 9/11 Fund tournament held Sept. 30 at the Knob Hill Golf and Country Club, Route 33, according to Manalapan Police Department Detective Sam Britton. The golf event raised a total of $35,000 (not including any pledges made that day).
Britton is the president of the Manalapan Police Benevolent Association Local 229, which sponsored the event.
The memorial is planned to honor the residents of Manalapan who were killed in the terrorist attack on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Plans call for the memorial to be built on the grounds of the township arboretum in front of the municipal building at Route 522 and Taylors Mills Road.
"We’ve had this event in the works for almost a year," said Patrolman Eric Schmidt. "We’re really pleased with the turnout. It’s a sold out event. Many generous businesses in town and in the area have been very supportive of this."
At a table set up in front of the Knob Hill clubhouse, LeaAnn Lobello sold raffles and checked in the golfers. Among the raffle prizes was a one-year membership to Knob Hill, donated by the owners. That prize was valued at $5,500.
Knob Hill golf pro Mark Schaare said, "It’s an honor for us to have the golf tournament here because it’s in the memory of the (Manalapan) people who were lost in the World Trade Center attack."
Schaare noted that one person who was killed in the attack was the brother of the chef who works at Knob Hill.
"It’s kind of a family thing that we’re hosting this, too," he said. "We have a great chef and he lost his brother. So, there are a lot of personal connections here with the club. It’s a good thing and we’re proud to have it. We’re hoping to raise a lot of money and spread some good will."
The Rev. John Bambrick, chaplain of the Manalapan Police Department, said, "It’s a great day for the 9/11 golf outing. We’re sold out. It’s a great crowd. It’s going to be a wonderful event for the township, the families and to help memorialize and remember all of our beloved citizens who gave their lives on 9/11.
"I’m really proud, as (police) chaplain, to say how supportive they have been of this whole effort to spearhead the fund raising," Bambrick said. "If it weren’t for them, this whole day would not have happened. They play a large part in having this monument erected. They are a great group of men and women who have devoted themselves to this and I’m very proud of them."
George McCann, who lost his brother, Thomas, in the 9/11 attack, thanked the members of the committee and the PBA.
"We’re happy to be able to honor the lost people from Manalapan," said McCann. "My brother was one of them, a New York City fireman. I want to thank all the sponsors and everyone who came out."
Two corporate sponsors, Hobbie, Corrigan, Bertucio and Tashjy, of Eatontown, and Schoor DePalma, of Manalapan, each donated $5,000.
Other sponsors included Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, Romeo’s Pizza, Yorktowne Shopping Center, Kemper Insurance, Battleground Developers, K. Hovnanian, the firm of Philobosian, Russell, Killmurray and Kinneally, Cavanaugh’s Inc., Englishtown Auction Sales, Freehold Automotive Center, the Manalapan-Englishtown Education Association, Freehold Automotive Center, Raceway Park, Community National Bank, Wegmans, Giordano, Halleran and Ciesla, T&M Associates, the Knights of Columbus, Steiner Equities, St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, CME Associates, Englishtown Liquors, Olde Silver Tavern, Dick’s Sporting Goods, SGS Communities, Value City, Applebee’s, Pop-Pop Dugan’s, Concept Engineering Consultants, Wendel and Dolores Becker, and others.
During the luncheon which was held at the conclusion of the golf tournament, Mayor Rebecca Aaronson and members of the Township Committee who attended the luncheon made an additional pledge toward the construction of the memorial.
"Our town and others like it have lost vital members of our community," Aaronson said. "They were brothers, fathers, sons, friends to some, but for all of us they were our neighbors. Today’s event will help fund a beautiful memorial in their honor.
"I thank everyone who is here, not only for reaching into your pockets, but for reaching into your hearts," said the mayor. "On behalf of the township committee, Bill Scherer, Beth Ward, Drew Shapiro, Mary Cozzolino and myself, and on behalf of the residents of the township, we want to announce our pledge of $25,000 so that this memorial can become a reality in the near future."
Organizers are trying to raise $107,000 to construct the memorial. Contributions may be mailed to the Manalapan PBA, P.O. Box 72, Tennent 07763. For additional information regarding contributions by organizations, businesses or individuals, call Detective Sam Britton at (732) 446-8388.