Gloria Nilson, Bruce Thompson and Mary Ann McDonald honored.
Nearly 200 guests raised a glass to FCS (Family & Children’s Service), Monmouth County’s oldest, nonprofit social service agency on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the 2016 Leading Lights Gala, raising more than $100,000 to support critical community-based programs and services, including intervention services for neglected and exploited adults, home health and respite care for families caring for aging loved ones, and financial management services for those at risk of homelessness.
The celebratory event, which took place at the beautiful Navesink Country Club in Middletown, marked the 107th anniversary of the agency and served as the perfect backdrop to honor three individuals for their outstanding contributions to FCS: Gloria Nilson, Bruce Thompson and Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, and former FCS Board President and Fair Haven resident Mary Ann McDonald.
“Our three Leading Lights demonstrate the very best in our community,” FCS Board Chair Paul Stach said as he welcomed guests at the Gala. “They are among those exceptional individuals willing to commit their time and resources to improve the lives of others. We are honored to be the recipient of their longstanding generosity and kindness.”
FCS CEO Delly Beekman thanked the honorees for holding up FCS’s Mission to provide compassionate care, education and intervention to people during challenging times. “Mother Theresa said the greatest poverty is that of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for,” Delly told the gathering. “Your support of FCS helps us ensure that our clients are treated with the dignity and respect as they work to overcome tremendous obstacles in their quest to live independently.”
To reflect the nautical theme of Leading Lights, Navesink’s ballroom was decorated in shades of shimmering blue and white accented by palm trees donated by Guaranteed Plants and Florists in Rumson and arrangements created by florists Jenna Morris and Virginia Boileau. As Gala guests mingled over cocktails and appetizers listening to the musical entertainment of Tim McCloone and the Shirleys, they browsed the dozens of Silent Auction items available for bid including catered dinners, collectible wines, fashion, jewelry, spa treatments and sports tickets. A formal sit-down dinner was followed by a spirited Live Auction, led by Auctioneer Tiffany Senft, featuring several luxury experience packages including a Navesink River sunset cruise for 12, a weekend of golf for four in the Florida Keys and a Backyard Barbeque Bash for 50 complete with oyster shucking and hamburger slider bars. The highlight of the Live Auction was a short video produced by Tone Farmer™ featuring stories of four clients served by the agency’s CERF (Client Emergency Relief Fund), a fund established in the wake of Hurricane Sandy to address client emergency needs not covered by other services.
The 2016 Gala was co-chaired by Paul and Judy Stach and supported by Gala Committee members Ursula Atkinson, Virginia Boileau, Mara Browndorf, Stephanie Bush, Jill Gemmel, Karen Gibbens, Kathy Goullet, Taphy Harcsar, Diane Hayes, Mary Ann McDonald, Jenna Morris, Liz Moss, Mary Debbie O’Donoghue, Mary Jane O’Hare, Carrie Page, Janet Ray, Dena Reger, Madonna Robinson, Janet Rotchford, Tiffany Senft, Susan Sorokolit, Peeka Tildesley, BJ Thompson and Lee Weber.
Generous gifts were received from Compass Rose Sponsor The Mel Karmazin Foundation; Guiding Light Sponsors Gloria Nilson and Woodhaven Lumber; Navigator Sponsors Frank & Brenda Mergenthaler and Monmouth Medical Center & Foundation; Lighthouse Sponsors John and Debbie O’Donoghue; and Anchor Sponsors Del Negro & Senft Eye Associates, Tom & Mary Ann McDonald and Bruce Thompson and Thompson Memorial Home. Additional sponsors are listed in the 2016 Gala Journal.
To learn more about FCS and the people we serve, visit our website at www.fcsmonmouth.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @fcsmonmouth.
About Family & Children’s Service:
Family & Children’s Service (FCS) strengthens, protects and preserves the dignity and independence of people in need. With 107 years of history, FCS is the oldest, private nonprofit social service agency in Monmouth County and a leading volunteer organization. Our Mission is to provide compassionate care, intervention and education to support people at challenging times in their lives. We accomplish this through more than a dozen programs focused on the needs of multiple at-risk populations, including: Adult Protective Services; Jersey Assistance for Community Caregivers (JACC); Healthy Buddies, an intergenerational childhood obesity prevention program; Home Care Services and Homecare Grant Assistance; Medicare Application Assistance Program (MAAP); Operation Sleighbells, a holiday giving program for children; Reading Buddies; an in-school childhood literacy program; Representative Payee, a financial management program for the mentally, developmental and physically disabled; Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP); Statewide Respite Care, State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), a Medicare counseling service; Telephone Reassurance and the Thrift Boutique. Learn more at www.fcsmonmouth.org.
