Tinton Falls, N.J., June 9, 2010 – The third annual Visions of Hope Event, held at the beautiful Addison Park, located in Aberdeen, N.J., was certainly a night to remember, raising over $98,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
On the evening of Monday, June 7, 2010, over 300 people attended the third annual Visions of Hope Event, an extraordinary evening of food, art and fashion to benefit MDA of Central N.J. and Staten Island services and summer camp initiatives. Guests had the opportunity to sample foods and desserts prepared by some of N.J.’s finest chefs, with more than 15 different restaurants as well as a selection of wine and spirits. Restaurant and Wine/Spirits Sponsors included Abbate Bakery, Addison Park, Anna’s Italian Kitchen, Ciccone’s Italian Deli, CJ Montana’s, CMSC Spirits, DeMarco’s Catering and Gourmet Deli, Ganga Asian Bistro, Grape Beginnings Wine School, JTE Spirits, Julia’s Restaurant, Kicky’s Restaurant, La Cashina, McDonagh’s Pub, Peter’s Fishery, Pizzuto’s Ravioli, Ocean Wine & Spirits, Scarborough Fair, and Suzi’s Sweet Shoppe. The night also included an upscale silent auction and fashion show, featuring the designs of Ivory & Co., Staten Island and Jos. A. Bank, Holmdel, with BellaDonna Salon donating their services to the models.
Committee member Carol Stillwell raised an astonishing $58,000 during the live campership auction, which will help send children to MDA Summer Camp, located at Camp Visions in Spring Valley, N.Y. Camp Visions is a completely handicap accessible camp provided free of charge to children ages 6 - 17 who are served by MDA. For one week each summer, children enjoy a myriad of activities such as swimming, fishing, sports, talent shows and more. Children are paired with a volunteer counselor who assists them and provides companionship for the entire week.
Visions of Hope Committee Chairman Carmine S. Visone, owner of Home Away From Home Academy, and Meteorologist James Gregorio of News 12 New Jersey presented two awards during the evening. This year’s Humanitarian of the Year award was presented to actor and comedian Joe Piscopo, who has devoted much of his time to non-profits in addition to starting his own foundation, “The Positive Impact Foundation,” which creates positive media for at-risk youths. The Visions of Hope Award was presented to Honorable Louis F. Locascio, J.S.C., Ret, former judge for the Superior Court of N.J. and now of counsel to Gold, Albanese & Barletti, who has been active in his local community, mentoring young lawyers, counseling high school students considering law as a career, and presiding as judge over N.J. Mock Trial competitions in Monmouth County and State Finals. In addition, he was an Award Recipient for the Maria Frangella Foundation for Colon Cancer Research for dedication and commitment to Stars and Dreams for a Cure.
A special thank you to this year’s sponsors who contributed to the success of the evening: CITGO Petroleum, Home Away From Home Academy, Saker ShopRites, Inc., Advantage Management – New Jersey, Distinctive Pools, Living In Media, Millennium Respiratory Services, Pringle Quinn Anzano, PC, and York Telecom Corporation and technology sponsor Best Buy of Holmdel.
All of the proceeds from this event will be used by the local MDA office to provide much-needed services to families served in Central N.J. and Staten Island. The MDA clinic, located at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls, offers initial diagnosis, follow-up care and physical, occupational, respiratory and speech therapy evaluations to those living with any of 43 neuromuscular diseases. In addition, children and young adults ages six to 17 can attend the weeklong MDA Summer Camp free of charge.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. The majority of contributions to MDA come from individual donors.
For more information on this event please contact Jenna Schlosser at (732) 936-9940 or jschlosser@mdausa.org or Brooke Eder at (203) 288-3500 or beder@mdausa.org.
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