Bulletin Board

– Gala will benefit food bank

By Taylor M. Lier

The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties wants to bring the community together to ensure that every New Jersey family has food on its table.

The food bank will host its 2015 Boots and Bling Humanitarian Food Bank Gala on April 24 at the Monmouth University Multipurpose Activity Center, West Long Branch. Tickets for the gala are $250 per person.

The cocktail hour and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m., followed by an awards presentation, dinner and live entertainment starting at 7:30 p.m.

The event will feature an acoustic performance by country music singer John Rich of Big and Rich. For more information, visit www.foodbankmoc.org.

The 2015 humanitarian award will be presented to Wegmans supermarket and to Jules Plangere Jr., chairman of Press Communications.

Kyra Citron, director of Kid’s Corner, an organization designed to help empower children, will receive a junior humanitarian honor.

The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties is the primary provider of food and services to more than 300 partner agencies, including shelters for homeless individuals and neighborhood food pantries, according to Lori Sayde, press and media liaison for the food bank.

Last year the food bank provided about 10 million meals. One in every 10 people in Monmouth County receives help from the food bank.

“The food bank also offers free income tax preparation, advising on affordable health care, food stamp enrollment and culinary training programs so individuals can get into the workforce,” Sayde said.

The agency is instrumental in providing food to families in need in central New Jersey, according to Monmouth County Freeholder John Curley.

“The food bank oversees the entire population. We currently have 19,000 food stamp situations in the county and many who need assistance are not getting it (because they) make too much money with their unemployment. It is an awful situation,” Curley said. “I want to congratulate the food bank on the great humanitarian efforts they do each day. They are truly doing God’s work.”

– Author to speak at scholarship luncheon

The Northern Monmouth County Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW-NMCB) will hold its annual scholarship luncheon at noon May 7 at the Molly Pitcher Inn, 88 Riverside Ave., Red Bank.

Beatriz Williams, author of “A Hundred Summers,” will be the guest speaker. She will share how she brings her characters to life and weaves her plot lines.

Born and raised in Seattle, Williams was exposed to opera and Shakespeare as a young child by her British father and American mother. “I was born wanting to tell stories. From the time I could read, I was writing little stories,” said Williams in a press release.

She said being an anthropology major at Stanford University was handy. “Anthropology is the study of who we are as human beings. As a storyteller, I strive to make the enormously confusing world around us and our relationships with one another make sense.”

While at Stanford University, she was deeply moved and inspired by Vera Brittain’s World War I memoir, “A Testament of Youth.” World War I figures heavily in William’s debut novel, “Overseas.”

Tickets are $50 through April 17 and $55 after that date and available at www.aauw-nj-nmcb.org. Checks can also be made out to AAUW-NMCB and mailed to: AAUW-NMCB, P.O. Box 398, Red Bank, NJ 07701. For more information, call 732-933-4855, ext. 5.

Scholarship available for high school seniors

The Art Society of Monmouth County has a Merit Award opportunity for high school seniors of outstanding artistic ability who will major in art at an institution or college of their choice in 2015. The application deadline is April 20.

The society will also hold its annual Merit Award and Exhibit from April 29 to May 16 at the Monmouth Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave., Monmouth Beach. Applicants will participate in the exhibit. A reception will be held 1-2:30 p.m. May 16.

The Merit Award will be given to a high school senior without regard to financial need. Applicants are required to submit six original works — paintings, photographs, graphics or sculptures — created during their junior and senior years. All 2-D work must be matted or framed and wired for hanging. Members of the Art Society of Monmouth County will judge all student work and select one or two pieces to be exhibited.

For more information, contact Lucille Dellert at 732-229-3377. For an application or more information, visit www.artsocietyofmonmouthcounty.org.

– ‘Battle’ benefits local food pantries

LITTLE SILVER — For the fourth year in a row, Red Bank Regional High School (RBR) has utilized a “Battle of the Classes” competition to motivate a school-wide food drive to benefit the local community.

Over 7,600 food items were donated from late February through April 1 to help fill the food shelves at Lunch Break and the Salvation Army, both in Red Bank, at a time when large donations are not typically made to local pantries.

“This was our fourth annual school-wide food drive, and the results were incredibly positive, especially because snow days and PARCC testing disrupted the flow of our school’s schedule,” said English teacher Cassandra Dorn in a press release.

Dorn organizes the drive each year. “As always, the RBR family demonstrated incredible generosity and teamwork. The competitive nature of the contest makes it more fun, but the real prize is that our school community makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of people in the area.”

The competition included student classes and staff. Staff members were divided into teams based on zodiac signs. Team Gemini/Pisces was the winner, which overwhelmed its competitors with over 1,100 items.

The winning graduating class is awarded $1,000 toward their class fund. This year, there was an unprecedented result — a tie. “The senior class of 2015 and the junior class of 2016 both collected 2,411 items,” Dorn said. “We’ll figure out a way to award the $1,000 prize to both classes!”

RBR Principal Risa Clay expressed pride about the community service project. “I am so very proud of our RBR community. Once again, RBR staff, students and families have demonstrated that they are willing and able to mobilize to support our communities. Kudos to our teacher, Ms. Dorn who consistently organizes this and other community service projects for those in need of assistance.”

For more information, visit www.rbrhs.org.

– 180 slates annual spring fundraiser

RUMSON — 180 Turning Lives Around Inc., a non-profit dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence in Monmouth County, will host its annual fundraiser at 7 p.m. April 17 at the Riverhouse of the Rumson Country Club, 163 Rumson Road, Rumson.

The event will also honor the former U.S. ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Phil Murphy, and his wife, Tammy Murphy, co-founder of New Start New Jersey. Both will be honored for their vision, leadership and dedication in bringing awareness of domestic and sexual violence to the local community.

“The Murphys exemplify a commitment to public service, locally, nationally and internationally,” said Anna Diaz-White, executive director of 180, in a press release. “Their support of 180 and its mission is second to none and we are honored to be able to celebrate their accomplishments and vision.”

The benefit will feature live music from Brian Kirk & The Jirks. Guests are encouraged to dress smart casual. For tickets or more information, contact Barbara Lovell-Napoli at barbaran@180nj.org or 732-264-4360, ext. 4233.

– School sets annual rummage sale dates

The Rumson Country Day School will host its 46th annual “Whale of a Sale” rummage sale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 18 and 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. April 19 at the school’s gymnasium at 35 Bellevue Ave., Rumson.

Proceeds will benefit the school’s Financial Aid Fund, which provides tuition assistance to many children who attend the school.

The sale is open to the public and will feature thousands of items at bargain prices, such as designer goods, furniture, housewares, clothing, linens, toys, books, sports equipment, a silent auction and more.

For more information, visit www.rcds.org.

– Church sets event for motorcycle riders

Pilgrim Baptist Church of Red Bank will host a Kick-Start Mini-Conference at 9 a.m. April 18 at 172 Shrewsbury Ave., Red Bank. The event is being held in conjunction with Harley-Davidson of Long Branch.

All proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warriors of New Jersey and Pilgrim Baptist Church’s veterans ministry.

The conference is open to all and designed as a pre-season educational initiative for motorcycle riders of all levels. Facilitators are factory-certified instructors who will focus on various elements of safe group and individual riding. Special sessions for club road captains will be available as well as club networking opportunities.

Registration is $10 per participant and includes a continental breakfast and giveaways. To register or learn more details, call 732-747-2343.

– Food, wine tasting to benefit soup kitchen

The foundation of the Rotary Club of Red Bank will hold its 15th annual Two Rivers Food and Wine Tasting from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, April 20, at Branches, 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch. Proceeds will benefit the soup kitchen Lunch Break.

Lunch Break serves vulnerable citizens in Monmouth and Ocean counties and beyond. In 2014, in addition to having served nearly 63,000 hot meals and distributing food from its pantry to more than 1,000 families monthly, Lunch Break also offered Internet access for job seekers; employment information; social, health and wellness resources; clothing; the holiday Adopt-a-Family program; cooking classes for children; community dinners; a community gardener’s market; disaster relief; and a place for guests and clients to gather for fellowship and more. All of Lunch Break’s services are free.

“The Red Bank Rotary is a long time friend of Lunch Break and the funds raised will ensure we can continue our mission of helping our neighbors who struggle,” said Gwendolyn O. Love, executive director of Lunch Break, in a press release.

Tickets are $65 per person and available at www.redbankrotary.org. For information about tickets, purchasing an ad for the event journal or sponsorships, contact Steve Sanfilippo at 732-933-9111 or rbrotaryfw@gmail.com.

To learn more about Lunch Break or to volunteer, visit www.lunchbreak.org.

– Forum on sea-level rise set for April 12

The Red Bank Humanists will host the forum, “A Geological Perspective on Sea-Level Rise and Its Impacts,” from 10:30 a.m.-noon on Sunday, April 12, at the Red Bank Charter School, 58 Oakland St., Red Bank. The event is free and open to the public.

The forum will feature Dr. Kenneth G. Miller, who will discuss sea-level rise and the regional and global effects that increase it. Miller is a distinguished professor at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and the author of over 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers.

For more information about the Red Bank Humanists, contact Trudy Lagan at 732-927-1RBH or visit www.redbankhumanists.org.

– Benefit for pediatric brain cancer research

The Salt Creek Grille’s 12th annual Wine and Martini Tasting will take place at 7 p.m. April 16 at 4 Bingham Ave., Rumson. Proceeds will benefit the Kortney Rose Foundation, which supports pediatric brain cancer research.

The Kortney Rose Foundation was founded by Kristen Gillette to honor her daughter, Kortney, who died from a rare type of brain tumor. The Foundation’s goal is to raise $1 million by June. To date, $910,000 has been raised.

The tasting will feature premium wines and specialty martinis, hors d’oeuvres, pasta and carving stations, artisan cheeses, a raw bar, 50/50 raffle and live jazz music with The Bobby Boyd Trio.

Tickets are $150 per person and available at www.kortneyrosefoundation.org. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, call 732-859-3629.

For more information about The Salt Creek Grille, visit www.saltcreekgrille.com.

– Fundraiser to benefit scholarship program

The Monmouth Day Care Center is holding a “Charmed by Charity” fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. April 21 at the Alex and Ani jewelry store at 12 Broad St., Red Bank.

Fifteen percent of sales will benefit the Monmouth Day Care Center’s scholarship program. The non-profit daycare center and pre-school is located at 9 Drs. James Parker Blvd., Red Bank.

Monmouth Day Care Center is licensed by the State of New Jersey and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. For more information, visit monmouthdaycarecenter.org.

– Safety course for boaters slated

Monmouth Beach’s Flotilla 26 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will hold its “About Boating Safely” course from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 18 at Shrewsbury Hose Company 1, 783 Broad St., Shrewsbury.

Individuals successfully completing this eight-hour course will be eligible to receive their New Jersey boating safety certificate, which is mandatory for all boaters. The course is approved by the State of New Jersey and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

The cost of the course is $55 and includes a textbook. Seating is limited, and preregistration is required by calling 732-605-0003. For more information about Flotilla 26, visit www.flotilla26nj.com.