FREEHOLD — Giving back to those who have given so much to the community, members of Downtown Freehold honored its sponsors at a special dinner held on Nov. 4.
Guests gathered at Positano’s (formerly the Main Street Bistro) on West Main Street in Freehold Borough.
Downtown Freehold (formerly the Freehold Center Partnership) oversees activities and events in the borough’s Special Improvement District, much of which lies in the downtown area.
Downtown Freehold Chief Executive Officer Rich Gatto said, “It was good to be able recognize the group of sponsors, especially in light of last year’s economic scenario.”
Gatto said Downtown Freehold has “experienced tremendous success in 2009, beyond our expectations.”
The sponsors honored at the event were 33 East Car Wash; Coors Lite Shore Point Distributors; Nestle USA; Metropolitan Café; Court Jester; Zebu Forno; Greater Media Newspapers; CentraState Health Care System; New Jersey Natural Gas; Gold Protection System, Edison; and Stillwell Hansen, Edison.
The sponsors supported Kruise Night, the summer concert series, the Freehold Idol competition, holiday events and other activities. Gatto said the events and activities draw thousands of people to Downtown Freehold every year.
Representatives of each sponsor received a beautiful glass award with their name engraved on it in appreciation of their efforts and support of Downtown Freehold.
Gathering together on a balmy November night, guests and sponsors mingled and enjoyed food prepared by Anthony Tane, the owner of Positano’s, and the community interaction.
Gatto said Mike Federici of Federici’s Italian restaurant came up with the idea to have the dinner for the sponsors.
Federici, who is a member of the Down- town Freehold Board of Directors, said doing something special for the organization’s sponsors has been a goal of his for some time. He said the idea grew out of a party his family hosted for its loyal customers when Federici’s bar area was redone two years ago.
He said the Nov. 4 dinner for the sponsors was a great success and hopefully, will become an annual event.
Rob Kash, who owns the Metropolitan Café and chairs Downtown Freehold, called the dinner for the sponsors a wonderful event. He said Tane was very accommodating to all of the Downtown Freehold members guests.
“We not only did this to thank our sponsors, but also to let them know where their money goes and what Downtown Freehold has accomplished,” he said.
Marlene Rogala, who owns Especially for You Florist and Gift Shop, said the dinner for the sponsors was “fabulous.”
“We have wonderful leadership now and Rich Gatto brings his expertise, education and skills into this venue, moving us forward to get to do the things we want to do,” Rogala said. “Rich has the management skills and the expertise in the field to bring people together in partnership with (Downtown Freehold). And he has done this without excluding the borough, the county, and business communities in and around Freehold Borough.”
Rogala, who serves on the Downtown Freehold Board of Directors, also praised Kash for his efforts on behalf of the organization.
Jack Aaronson, who owns 33 East Car Wash, Route 33, said although he has supported the community in various ways for years, this was his first year as a sponsor of Downtown Freehold.
“I think they do a great job,” Aaronson said, adding that since Gatto joined the organization, “things have been changing. I see the work they do and anything they do to keep the town alive helps everyone. They are doing very well and I wanted to do my share to contribute.”