By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY — Congratulations were in order for Councilman Tom Reilly at the City Council business meeting held earlier this month.
That’s because the Old Bridge Sayreville and South Amboy (OBSSA) Chamber of Commerce will recognize the Friends of South Amboy organization, of which Reilly is a part, at the Business Leader of the Year Awards in October. The organization will be honored as a charitable organization that makes a difference in the area.
At the meeting, Council President Mickey Gross urged Reilly to share the good news. Reilly talked about getting notified of the award and said such recognition is a great honor.
The announcement was followed by applause from his fellow council members and city officials in attendance.
However, Reilly was quick to add that the organization’s success is because of all its members working together.
“Let me say it’s not just me. There are a lot of people involved,” he said. The Friends of South Amboy is known for its annual basketball fundraiser to support families in need.
According to FOSA’s Facebook page, “FOSA was formed in 2012 to help residents of South Amboy recover after Hurricane Sandy.” However, it has expanded its reach in subsequent years to families experiencing other kinds of hardship, such as illness.
Mayor Fred Henry said he was pleased the organization was being honored, and said it was important to recognize the efforts of people trying to make the city a better place — efforts that can often go unnoticed.
“We need to publicize those things and recognize the people who are involved with them, because they do a great job,” he said. “It’s just a great thing for South Amboy, and I just want to recognize them for what they do and thank them for it. … There’s so much good going on, and this is one of the good things.”
Vincent Blasi, president of the OBSSA Chamber of Commerce, said the organization came highly recommended for the chamber award “for their efforts with helping families in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and for their continuing efforts helping families in need,” he said. “We are very pleased that they our this year’s nonprofit recipient.”
Blasi said the nomination process for identifying this year’s recipients both in the business and nonprofit world started in the spring.
“Our nominations committee reviews the candidates and discusses them with local officials and past recipients,” he said. “In the past recipients of our Volunteer or the Year Award have been both individuals and nonprofit organizations.”
Reilly also announced at the Aug. 3 meeting that the Friends of South Amboy will hold its annual basketball fundraiser on Dec. 17 at the high school.
“I know it’s a way away,” he joked.
