CONCERTS RAISE OVER ONE HALF-MILLION DOLLARS FOR AREA CHARITIES

(RED BANK, NJ | JANUARY 20, 2016) “Hope 8” and “... And Even More Hope,” the December 23rd benefit concerts starring Bobby Bandiera, philanthropist and musician Jon Bon Jovi, Blondie’s Deborah Harry, John Cafferty, Gary U.S. Bonds, Tim McLoone and others at the Count Basie Theatre, raised more than one-half million dollars for its beneficiaries.

“We are delighted to have once again been a part of the Hope Concerts,” said Tom Widener, Chairman of the Count Basie Theatre’s Board of Directors and Trustees. “It was a great, fun night at the Basie and we could not be more grateful to all the supporters in the audience, as well as to Bobby Bandiera and all the other musicians who donated their time and talents.”

December 23rd marked the first time two HOPE concerts were held on the same evening. 180 Turning Lives Around and the VNA Health Group were named beneficiaries of the first show, earning each organization $136,581. The evening’s second show benefitted Mary’s Place By The Sea in Ocean Grove and netted $267,823 for the cancer respite center.

“We are beyond grateful to our friends Bobby Bandiera, Jon Bon Jovi, John Cafferty, Gary U.S. Bonds, Tim McLoone, Jim Celestino and the countless other musicians who gave their time and talents to create the ‘...And Even More Hope’ concert, said Michele Ganon, Founder and President of Mary’s Place. “You all make it possible for us to give HOPE to even more women struggling with cancer at Mary’s Place by the Sea.”

“The annual HOPE concerts are the best way I know to give back to a community that has given so much to me, and to many others,” said Bobby Bandiera, who organizes and leads the band at each HOPE show. “This year’s beneficiaries go a long way to make our area vibrant, safe and healthy, and that has always been the spirit of HOPE.”

Since 2003, Bandiera’s HOPE concert series has raised more than $3 million for myriad of local causes, including Red Bank’s Parker Family Health Center, ALS research, the Valerie Fund, HORIZONS Student Enrichment Program and the non-profit Count Basie Theatre itself.

Marys Place by the Sea provides an innovative approach to caring for women during and after treatment. Guests are provided with unconditional care during their time of extreme need at NO COST. It is the mission of Mary’s Place by the Sea to give women with cancer a place to rest and recuperate during and after the rigors of their cancer treatments. The volunteers care for these women so they may focus on their healing gaining strength to win the battle with cancer. Guests are welcome to stay a few hours or a few days, if needed. Some of the services offered to guests are oncology massage, nutritional counseling, guided meditation, yoga, strength training and in-room spa services.

The first care center was opened in the summer of 2009 and currently operates at 15 Broadway Avenue in Ocean Grove as a 4 bedroom home. Mary’s Place is currently building a 10-bedroom home so that they will never have to tell a woman she has to wait to receive these services, which have nearly 5,000 women feel loved and supported. Privately held fundraisers like this are helping build the home and continue the mission to help women across the nation fight cancer.

Mary’s Place by the Sea is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization.

To watch a video to learn more about Marys Place please go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RpsAeOqVmw

Mary’s Place by the Sea
Office: 732-455-5344 / Fax: 732-361-0135
15 Broadway, P.O. Box 86, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
http://marysplacebythesea.org