LONG BRANCH — The Ashley Lauren Foundation’s sixth annual Butterfly Ball fundraiser will take place at 6 p.m. on Feb. 25 at Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch.
This year, the fun-filled event will include a new “Dancing for Our Stars” competition, where performers will be dancing to raise money for the “Stars” of The Ashley Lauren Foundation — children.
The fundraiser provides an opportunity for attendees to enjoy an evening of fine food, drink and entertainment while raising funds for and increasing awareness of The Ashley Lauren Foundation’s mission of providing hope and help for children with cancer in New Jersey.
Brian Kirk and the Jirks will provide the music, and guests will be able to bid on many fun and unique auction items.
“This is an evening not to be missed. We have many exciting things planned for the Ball,” said Monica Vermeulen, Founder/CEO of The Ashley Lauren Foundation. “A new and exciting component will be our ‘Dancing for Our Stars’ competition …. Our dancers will be paired with professional dancers (Andre Gosselin of Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Red Bank and Ashley Lauren Vermeulen) and will have to earn the most votes pre-event and at the event to win the People’s Choice award.
“They will then be judged on performance ability at the event to win the Judges Award. It will be lots of fun cheering on your favorite dance couple along with cheering on our amazing Ashley Lauren Foundation children,” she said.
The dancers who will be competing include Carol Stillwell, president/CEO of Stillwell-Hansen Inc.; Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders Deputy Director Serena DiMaso; Spring Lake Fire Company No. 1 Capt. John Wall; and Tom Corley, president/CPA of Cerefice & Co. and a published author.
The goal of The Ashley Lauren Foundation is to ease the journey when pediatric cancer is diagnosed by providing direct financial assistance toward household bills, medications not paid through medical insurance, traveling expenses to and from hospitals and funeral expenses.
Other assistance includes providing food, clothing and household items; emotional support for the entire family; four major seasonal parties for the children and their families; advocacy; “Making Dreams Come True” program; Birthday Brigade (gifts, cake and balloons delivered personally to each child); special outings; hospital parties; holiday gifts for the children and anything else that is needed to make their lives easier and bring smiles to their faces.
For more details, visit www.ashleylaurenfoundation.org or call The Ashley Lauren Foundation office at 732-414-1625.