By Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
If you’d like a fun night out with the chance to win great prizes and help people in your community, attend the GiveBack Foundation’s “Luck of the Irish” bingo night on Friday, March 15.
The event will be held at the New Egypt Elks Club, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt. Tickets are $30 per person, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and games beginning at 7:30 p.m. Prizes include Coach, Tory Burch and Betsey Johnson handbags; a Kindle Fire; Pandora bracelets; Juicy Couture and Irish cheer baskets, and more.
Since its inception in 2005, The Giveback Foundation (GBF) has been aiding residents of Monmouth, Mercer, Burlington, Ocean and Middlesex counties needing assistance. Its focus is not on providing long-term financial support, but rather immediate, short-term support to individuals experiencing life-changing situations.
Recently, the GBF helped raise money enabling North Hanover resident Tristan Tilghman’s family to purchase a diabetic alert service dog, according to board member Andrea Rosenshine Watson, Upper Freehold. She explained that Tristan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in September 2010 at the age of 14. A diabetic alert is trained to detect changes in blood sugar levels in his person’s body.
According to Ms. Watson, these highly trained canines cost as much as $20,000. Tristan, the grandson of Pat and Ron Tilghman of New Egypt and Linda and Roger Gravatt of Allentown, should receive his dog just after St. Patrick’s Day, according to the Diabetic Alert Dog for Tristan Facebook page.
Ms. Watson said the GBF helped several local families recently during the holidays. It also operates a food pantry. Ms. Watson thanked Kiddie Academy, Upper Freehold, for its large donation of food during the holiday season. She notes that 100 percent of proceeds from fundraisers and donations go to help those in need.
Those applying for assistance fill out the organization’s criteria fact sheets, and the GBF board considers each application on a case-by-case basis.
Upcoming GBF fundraisers include a May golf outing, with the location to be announced, according to Ms. Watson.
For more information about the GBF, email thegivebackfoundation2005@gmail or visit the website at www.thegivebackfoundation.com. The GBF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

