The Joshua Harr Shane Foundation raised more than $10,000 at St. Patrick’s Day Bash
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
WEST WINDSOR — As the sun sank behind dusky clouds on March 17, people arrived at the Mercer Oaks country club to celebrate a Central Jersey charity.
The Joshua Harr Shane Foundation, based in neighboring East Windsor, held its first St. Patrick’s Day Bash. The Mercer Oaks location is the site of the foundation’s annual summer golf classic, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars to help local people in need.
Judy Shane, who spearheads the foundation in honor of her son, Joshua, said the St. Patrick’s Day Bash raised approximately $11,000.
Ms. Shane hosted the St. Patrick’s Day Bash at Mercer Oaks.
“The highlight for the evening was that 160 people supported the organization out of the goodness of their hearts,” Ms. Shane said on March 19.
Brian Dzbenski, of MDJ Entertainment, provided the upbeat entertainment as a donation to the organization.
Since its inception more than a decade ago, the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation has supported individuals, charities and organizations. The foundation concentrates its efforts helping children in need and military families. However, it does not end there.
It also assists struggling adults facing astronomical medical bills. Janet Penn, of Livingston, who is scheduled for a kidney transplant on March 28, said that the foundation has paid some of her medical bills along the way. She attended the St. Patrick’s Day Bash on March 17.
“Thank you just isn’t a big enough word. It doesn’t suffice,” Ms. Penn said.
Her older brother stepped forward to “save his little sister” by being her organ donor for a kidney, she said.
Ms. Penn described the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation as conveying goodwill, generosity and compassion.
“You are showered with it. There is no loss of dignity,” she said.
One-hundred-and-sixty people attended the March 17 bash, including State Senator Linda Greenstein of the 14th Legislative District. She and her peers at the Senate as well as members of the General Assembly recognized the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation in 2011 for its work within New Jersey.
Air Force Sergeant Natasha Williams, of Lamberton, who returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan this past November, said the foundation has donated to military bases in the northern and eastern portions of the country. She, too, attended the St. Patrick’s Day Bash.
“Whatever she sent, it was Christmas,” she said of the care packages sent by Ms. Shane on behalf of the foundation.
“They care. Somebody back home is thinking of me,” Sgt. Williams recalled thinking at the time.
In fact, the organization recently started an entertainment drive to collect music and movies for American troops. It sent several boxes of DVDs and CDs for troops in Afghanistan last month.
The foundation has donated more than 6,500 phone cards to American men and women serving overseas in combat zones.
The Joshua Harr Shane foundation in the past has donated golf equipment to McGuire Air Force Base for the New Jersey men and women serving in the U.S. military.
The St. Patrick’s Day Bash featured Chinese and silent auctions and lots of enthusiastic dancing by guests gathered to celebrate an East Windsor foundation.
Jim Hines, owner of Mercer Oaks Catering, oversaw the St. Paddy menu.
During the event, the foundation made donations to regional organizations. For instance, a check for $5,000 was donated to the Embrace the Kid’s Foundation during the bash.
Representatives from Better Beginnings Childhood Development Center in Hightstown were also in attendance. Better Beginnings recognized the Joshua Harrr Shane Foundation last year at its annual Shinning Star Gala. The foundation has donated supplies, tickets to entertainment shows, and winter coats, among other items, to Better Beginnings.
The foundation has donated hundreds of tickets for area children to attend events such as Disney on Ice shows and Trenton Thunder games.
Within the past 24 months, the Joshua Harr Shane Foundation said it has donated more than $30,000 to the Embrace Kid’s Foundation Palliative Care program to benefit children fighting devastating conditions.
It said it has donated more than $150,000 to the Embrace Kid’s Foundation to date.
The foundation has donated to regional children’s hospitals as well.
Looking ahead, the 11th annual Joshua Classic is scheduled for Aug. 14 at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course. Last year, the event raised more than $35,000 to support the foundation’s efforts to help those in need in Central Jersey — and beyond.
To learn more, visit www.joshuaharrshane.org.

