RED BANK – Jon Stewart, host of the upcoming Apple TV+ series, “The Problem with Jon Stewart,” will be the guest host for Lunch Break’s annual gala “We Rise Together: Restoring and Rebuilding Lives” on Oct. 15 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank.
This year’s honorees include Lunch Break advisory council member Carol Stillwell, president and CEO of Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., Norma Todd Service Award; former Lunch Break board president John Klein and his wife, board member Robin Klein, Heart to Hand Award; and Guttenplan’s Frozen Dough, A Child’s Place School, Lincroft, and Abe and Linda Littenberg, Corporate Platinum Partner Award, according to a press release.
“We are looking forward to this year’s gala with great excitement,” Lunch Break Executive Director Gwendolyn Love said. “We are thrilled to have Jon Stewart as our host and we are excited to have the Count Basie Center for the Arts as our venue. I couldn’t be more proud of our honorees, who exemplify Lunch Break’s mission in their lives and work every day.”
The evening, which takes place from 6:30-11 p.m., will feature dinner, dancing, entertainment, raffles and an auction of premium items. Tickets are $400 per person; seating is limited. Sponsorship, ads and underwriting opportunities are available.
Proceeds will benefit Lunch Break’s mission of providing food security and social services, clothing, fellowship and life skills to individuals struggling with financial burdens in Monmouth County and beyond, according to the press release.
John and Robin Klein, of Middletown, began volunteering and supporting Lunch Break as newcomers to the Red Bank area.
“Being involved with Lunch Break and meeting the amazing people of this community was a driving force in making this our forever home,” they said.
Carol Stillwell’s life and career has been a story of hard-driving, visionary business leadership and tireless devotion to critical social and health-care causes, according to the press release.
Stillwell is a member of Lunch Break’s advisory council among others, and her efforts recently have benefited 180 Turning Lives Around, the American Cancer Society, CASA of Monmouth County, Family Promise, Fulfill, the Monmouth County SPCA, Hometown Heroes and the charitable foundations of major local hospitals and colleges, and Lunch Break.
Linda and Abe Littenberg are stalwart Lunch Break volunteers, delivering meals to people in need every week, according to the press release.
After graduating from engineering school as a young man, Abe joined the family business, Guttenplan’s, and with his cousin transformed the Long Branch bakery into a booming frozen dough supplier that serves restaurants, supermarkets and small bakeries nationwide.
Linda, a high school teacher who was born into a family of educators, became intrigued by the promise of early childhood schooling when her son Matt was enrolled in A Child’s Place School in Lincroft.
When school founder Alba DiBello retired, the Littenbergs bought the school, which is devoted to nourishing young imaginations on the concept that “Children Are Born Curious,” according to the press release.
Attendees will be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test 48 hours prior to the event. Proof of vaccination or test results should be emailed to ckilbourne@lunchbreak.org
For further information, contact Jill Govel-Gwydir at 732-747-8577, ext. 3107, or jgwydir@lunchbreak.org
Lunch Break accepts donations online at www.lunchbreak.org or at its headquarters, 121 Drs. James Parker Blvd., Red Bank.
