Babies “R” Us in Manalapan will host a “Super Baby Shower,” Jan. 14 from noon to 4 p.m. Representatives from local businesses who can help with shower plans — food, location, invitations, centerpieces, favors, cakes, etc. — will be on hand. There will also be food and games. The store is at 17 Route 9 south, Manalapan.
Jill Schiff, of Freehold, membership services director for the Edison-based Building Contractors Association of New Jersey (BCANJ), has been appointed to the Middlesex County Workforce Investment Board (WIB). Schiff has worked for the BCANJ for 15 years. The BCANJ’s involvement in workforce development issues led Schiff to serve as program coordinator for Construction Industry Career Day, participate in a variety of consortiums, and join the Eastern Seaboard Apprenticeship Conference Standing Committee.
Schiff’s responsibilities at the BCANJ include administering the association’s educational programs, such as the Construction Management Certificate program, the Student Summer Work program, and a tuition reimbursement program that encourages members’ employees to continue their education.
The Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly general meeting at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at the chamber office, 17 Broad St., Freehold. Guest speaker Vicki Lynne Morgan, president of Russmor Marketing Group, will discuss “Trade Show and Event Marketing: Guaranteed ‘Show Time’ Success.” The cost is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers and includes a continental breakfast. For reservations or further information, call (732) 462-3030.
Jonathan R. Boguchwal of Manalapan has been appointed by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey to the New Jersey-Israel Commission.
In a press release, Boguchwal said he hopes to build on the relationship between New Jersey and Israel, and that he believes the foundation for such a relationship has been fortified by the long-standing activism of New Jersey’s substantial Jewish community. He plans to contribute to the exchange between the two countries in the areas of science, education and tourism, particularly with people of his generation.
Boguchwal, a research associate for the Senate Democratic Majority Office in the State House, attended Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, for eight years when it was known as Solomon Schechter Day School of Marlboro. He is a graduate of Manalapan High School, and in 2002 he graduated with honors from Rutgers University with a degree in communications. He was awarded a master’s degree in public affairs and politics from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University in 2003. He also has been involved this year in the Beyond the Banks Mentorship Program at Rutgers University, helping young students gain internships in their fields of professional interests. He attended Camp Ramah in the Berkshires for eight years and now serves as an active member of the Ramah Berkshires Alumni Association.
Jack McGrath has been elected 2006 president of the board of directors for Community Associations Institute’s New Jersey Chapter (CAI-NJ). As president, McGrath will be able to exercise his association experience as one of only six people selected to serve on the National Community Association Volunteers Committee (CAVC), based in Alexandria, Va.
As both president of CAI-NJ and chair-elect of the CAVC, McGrath is committed to fostering education, advancing legislative agendas, increasing membership and promoting CAI-NJ on behalf of all homeowners.
The New Jersey Chapter is the second largest CAI chapter in the United States, with more than 1,800 members. CAI-NJ is a nonprofit organization that helps foster community associations, providing responsible, informed leadership. Through continuous education and resources, the organization helps members stay abreast of current community association issues and events and serves as the legislative watchdog for its members.
McGrath also serves on the board of directors of The Grande at Colts Neck and is the 2005 board liaison for CAI-NJ to the Legislative Action Committee, in addition to serving on the board of directors for its political action committee. He received the 2004 President’s Award for recognition and dedication on behalf of the CAI-NJ chapter.
McGrath and his wife, Carol, have four children and nine grandchildren and are longtime residents of Colts Neck.
The Schoor DePalma Community Foundation (SDCF) announced that it made charitable donations on behalf of its clients to local nonprofit community charities over the recent holiday season. The foundation is the philanthropic arm of Schoor DePalma, a regional engineering and consulting firm based in Manalapan.
The total amount donated exceeded $6,000. While a few larger nonprofit organizations were among the recipients of this year’s donations, most of the funds went to local organizations in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania throughout the communities in which Schoor DePalma employees live and work
Among the recipients in central New Jersey are the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the Point Pleasant Youth Baseball-Softball Organization, the Liberty Oaks Chorus in Jackson, and Cub Scout Troop 150 in Howell.
According to the company’s press release, the foundation has donated more than $200,000 since its inception in 2004, benefiting causes as far-reaching as relief efforts for international disasters and as close to home as hardship assistance for individuals within the firm. Their outreach to the community involves supporting a number of educational, emergency, cultural, medical, and social needs.
Building Contractors Association of New Jersey voted in two new trustees at its annual meeting held recently at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel.
The BCANJ membership approved the election of the 2006 slate of officers and trustees who form the association’s board. New this year are Trustees John F. Baumgardner of BFC Ltd., Egg Harbor Township, and Robert Gamba of Prismatic Development Corp., Fairfield.
The re-elected officers include President James Parry of John D. Lawrence Inc., Westville; Vice President Robert Gariepy of Austin Helle Co. Inc., Cedar Grove; Secretary Paul R. Natoli of Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corp., Pine Brook; and Treasurer Robert Polisano of Network Construction Co. Inc., Pleasantville.
Re-elected trustees include the following people from the local area: Wayne Conover of Conover & Brems Inc., Edison; Michael Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick & Associates Inc., Eatontown; Eric Jensen of Michael Riesz & Co., Fords; and A. David Schulz of Seacoast Builders Corp., Freehold.
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