WRAT 95.9, a Greater Media radio station, held the third annual RAT Rock Open Charity Golf Tournament to benefit LADACIN (Lifetime Assistance for Developmental and Challenging Individual Needs) Network recently at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood.
Team winners were the foursome of John Pierre Tetrault of Red Bank, Rich Porter of Point Pleasant, Ray Rossi of Holmdel, and Rich Buonomo of Red Bank. Nina Anuario, OceanFirst Bank, won the “Beat the Pro” contest.
The tournament netted $18,600 for LADACIN Network. Proceeds will support educational, therapeutic, social, residential and support services for infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities and multiple physical disabilities in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Jeff Callahan, president of Sandler Sales Institute in Freehold, and Joe Pipitone, of Coaching for Life, also of Freehold, have jointly announced the launch of the Freehold after-hours Network Plus event for business professionals. The event will be held Dec. 6 at the Metropolitan Café, 8 Main St., Freehold, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The fee is $10, which includes food.
Network Plus will be held once a month at the Metropolitan Café.
Network Plus, a statewide organization founded by Ted Fattaross, allows professionals to attend any breakfast, lunch or after-hours meetings held throughout New Jersey. The events are unstructured and relaxed, and feature guest lecturers about subjects such as how to make a “cold call” or how to market a business.
For more information, log on to www.joinnetworkplus.com or register by e-mail to rsvp@joinnetworkplus.com. For further details, call Jeff Callahan, (732) 409-1294 or (800) 814-5333, e-mail jcallahan@sandler.com; or Joe Pipitone at (732) 308-3813, e-mail joe@lifecoachingbyjoe.com. For directions to the Metropolitan Café, call (732) 780-9400.
Starbucks is sponsoring its fifth annual Holiday Angels Joy Drive to benefit the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation.
Through Dec. 25, customers can donate gifts for seriously ill children served by the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation at all Starbucks retail locations in the tri-state area. Customers are invited to drop off new, unwrapped books and toys at local Starbucks stores. Recommended gifts include books, board games, puzzles, hand-hold games (including batteries), craft its, building toys, DVDs, compact discs, dolls and infant items. Customers who wish to make a financial donation can visit Starbucks.com or slsb.org. Donated toys will be distributed to local hospitals or to hospitals that are a part of Starlight Starbright’s network of medical facilities in North America.
Damon’s Grill, Marlboro, is donating 100 percent of all dessert sales through Nov. 28 to help raise funds for the New Jersey chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to grant wishes to New Jersey children who have life-threatening medical conditions. Founded in 1983, the New Jersey chapter has granted more than 3,400 wishes to local children, according to the chapter’s press release.
Damon’s Grill, which is located at 180 Route 9 north, celebrated its grand opening Nov. 22. To make a reservation or for more information, call (732) 617-2822.
Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. recently delivered 1,000 frozen Wampler turkeys to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Neptune, for distribution to families in need this holiday season.
The company’s Turkey Express program will deliver nearly 14,000 turkeys to food banks in the Northeast in November. The company also fights hunger through the Food for Friends campaign, which is expected to raise more than $1 million this year for more than 300 hunger relief organizations throughout six states.
The Noontime Optimist Club of Freehold recently honored the Youth Club of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New Monmouth.
Led by Noontime Optimist Club chairperson Carole Robinson and co-chair Ann Denise Rubino, the event honored the young adults for their service projects, including visiting nursing homes, preparing lunches for the homeless in New York City, raking leaves for seniors and ill people, and raising awareness and funds for World Vision, an organization that provides food and medicine to impoverished people.
The recipients are Shawn Campbell, Katie Creighton, Stephanie Geronimo, Peggy Healy, Kristen Hesler, Michelle Tarrantino, Ashley Thompson and Kristin Whyte. Youth Minister Craig Palmer, the group’s leader, accompanied the youths.
The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants has launched a number of educational programs to help state residents gain a better understanding of financial issues.
In January, NJSCPA members will host a series of “town hall” meetings throughout the state, focusing on the importance of financial planning. The meetings, which are free and open to the public, will also provide participants with an opportunity to ask questions and learn from such financial experts as certified public accountants (CPAs) and certified financial planners. Town hall meeting locations and dates can be found on the Money Matters Web site at www.njscpa.org/moneymatters. The site also contains financial tips and resources.
A special workshop for women will take place Jan. 4 covering financial issues that affect women of all ages. The “Women’s Financial Literacy Workshop” will be held at the NJSCPA offices, 425 Eagle Road Ave., Roseland, from 6-8 p.m. V. Peter Traphagen Sr., CPA, will lead the session, which will consist of a panel discussion. The panel will include a social worker, divorce attorney, insurance consultant, certified financial planner, forensic accountant and a consultant on government-funded programs. A question-and-answer session will follow.
The New Jersey CPA Help Center, initially formed to assist individuals affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, is now an ongoing program, designed to help those in crisis and financial need. The center provides free financial and tax advice to individuals and families in New Jersey who have been affected by a sudden event, tragic circumstance or other crisis. The center’s goal is to provide those in need with a financial action plan, to introduce them to the range of services provided by CPAs, and to provide necessary referrals.
“Show Me the Money … Don’t Blow It!” is a financial literacy presentation for New Jersey high school students. The presentation focuses on nine principles that young people should know about money, from mapping their financial failure to establishing and protecting their credit. Residents interested in bringing the presentation to their school should call Janice Amatucci, (973) 226-4494, ext. 208, or e-mail jamatucci@njscpa.org.
The Allentown Business Association will sponsor an open house Dec. 5 and 6 in the downtown business area.
The event will offer refreshments and a wide selection of unusual gift ideas at each of the shops housed in the town’s historic setting. Adding to the holiday atmosphere will be the Brass Ensemble and outdoor carolers on Saturday. On Sunday, a live nativity will be featured from noon to 5 p.m.
For further details, visit the Web site www.allentownnj.com.
Radio station WMGQ Magic 98.3, New Brunswick, a Greater Media station, switched to an all-holiday format as of Nov. 22 at 12:01 a.m. and will continue through Christmas day. According to Tim Tefft, program director and afternoon-drive host, the decision to make the switch earlier was done to accommodate listener demand for more holiday music. The play list will include traditional holiday music and holiday hits by Magic 98.3 artists.
PEP — People Empowering People meets on the second Monday of the month in the western Monmouth County area.
The organization is designed for business owners and professionals in the Monmouth County area to meet and exchange ideas.
There is no cost to be a member. Refreshments are served. For more information, call Sandy Franco, (732) 863-9955.