by Muneera Naseer, Special Writer
ALLENTOWN — The Give Back Foundation has much thanks to give back after supporters raised a record $20,000 at its February gala event.
”It was very successful,” said Michele Lawrence, one of the founding members of the nonprofit organization. “We’ve raised the most money we’ve ever raised, even in these economic times. That was just fantastic.”
About 150 people attended the event at the Battleground Country Club in Manalapan, marked by a cocktail hour, fancy gowns and dancing.
Ms. Lawrence estimated that last year’s gala raised about $13,000.
The foundation, begun in September 2005, serves Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Mercer and Middlesex counties, helping people in need with life-altering circumstances.
Ms. Lawrence said it is important for donors to know that nearly all of the funds raised will be used to help families and individuals.
”Ninety-nine percent of the money raised goes out to the people we need to help,” she said. “People have been very generous. The more we do, the more people see what’s going on in the community.”
Ms. Lawrence said the organization has other events planned, including a bus trip to Atlantic City, tentatively set for May 30. There also will be gift auctions, golf tournaments in the fall, and a toy and donation drive in December.
Since its inception, she estimated, the organization has raised nearly $300,000, not including goods and services provided.
Ron Dunster, also a founding member along with Ivan Olinsky, said even people who are struggling themselves are donors.
”It’s been unbelievable, the tremendous response from people, and I know it’s coming from people who don’t have very much,” he said.
Mr. Dunster spearheads the organization’s food drive, which was launched in November in association with The Bank at 20 N. Main St. in Allentown, which serves as the drop-off site. He said he’s had people walk in with cans of spaghetti sauce or checks for donation. No item is too small to donate, he said, because everything counts to someone.
One woman donated a pair of pajamas she had bought for her granddaughter that was the wrong size. Instead of returning it, she donated it.
”I find out that people are very generous and that most of them I talk with are willing to give up a little bit,” he said. “It’s almost that they realize where they are at, so they appreciate people who don’t have cereal or milk. And that’s really what it is about. It’s a neighborhood concept. And it’s grown. If I have something, I can give some of it to someone else.”
He said the bank has been very supportive of the organization’s efforts and even kicked in money to start off the food drive.
Theresa Veltre, assistant manager at The Bank, said donations can be made year-round.
”It’s been about a month since we’ve had anything in there,” she said, referring to the donation box. “We’re trying to get people more aware again, that people need donations year ‘round, not just around holiday time.”
Most of the families being helped by Give Back are referred to the organization through agencies, hospitals or neighbors, and confidentiality is highly maintained.
Mr. Dunster said people are struggling for various reasons, be it the loss of a job or an illness in the family. He said he has made several visits to people’s homes when dropping off donations or groceries.
”There’s nothing in the refrigerator. There’s no such thing as leftovers; they eat everything,” he said.
He said he remembers one home where a young child told him he didn’t have a coat because his brother was using it at the time.
Mr. Dunster, 69, said he and his wife were once also a struggling married couple. He recalls the day in 1961, when a man passing by his street asked him why his two cars were always parked face to face. Mr. Dunster told the man that he had an old battery and one of his cars always needed a jumpstart. He never saw the man again, but did find a new battery on his front door the next morning.
”People helped us along the way,” he said.
To donate to the Give Back Foundation, go to www.thegivebackfoundation.com or send a donation to: The Give Back Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 535, Allentown NJ 08501. Telephone (609) 259-4961.

