Community Chest Attracts Record Supporters to Help People in Need

The Community Chest attracted a record number of supporters and raised over $100,000 at the Annual Spring Gala, Make A Difference in Our Community, held at Montammy Golf Club in Alpine, New Jersey on April 25. The funds raised will be directed to the organization's annual campaign to award competitive grants to 24 nonprofit agencies providing services to approximately 50,000 people in need in the area and for special projects such as the Women's Leadership Luncheon scholarship awards and the annual holiday gift card program.

With the motto 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors', The Community Chest leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make communities stronger and benefit people in the area. Through a competitive grant process, awards are issued to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations to support a range of needs in the area, such as hunger, afterschool programming, elderly care, career counseling for women, choral music instruction for youngsters, mental health services, environmental education, and medical care to diabetic, low income pregnant women among others.

"We were delighted to welcome a record 238 people to our 86th anniversary gala at Montammy Golf Club. With the number of nonprofit organizations submitting requests for support at an all time high, The Community Chest will use the funds raised to respond to their needs. A portion of the funds will provide two scholarships to up-and-coming leaders for high school seniors at our Women's Leadership Luncheon. The annual gala communicated our message of 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors'," said Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, DSW, Executive Director, The Community Chest.

Program

The gala honored these individuals for their involvement and contributions to the community: Philanthropist Award-Joe Parisi, Jr., CEO of The Otterstedt Insurance Agency, Community Champion Award-Vicki Sidrow, former President and CEO Vantage Health System and a mental health advocate, and Public Spirit Award- Lori Stokes, co-host of Good Day NY on Fox 5 NY.

New Jersey Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle gave each honoree a Proclamation in recognition of their service in the community. Under the direction of Emma Brondolo, children from The JCC Thurnauer School of Music's Young People's Chorus, a grantee of The Community Chest, entertained the audience. Noted auctioneer Nick Dawes from Antiques Road Show officiated at the benefit auction.

Sponsors

The gala's 2019 sponsors were: Englewood Health Foundation, Holy Name Medical Center, Robert Wilkens Insurance Agency, The Kamson Corporation, Alfiero & Lucia Palestroni Foundation, Inc., Bank of New Jersey, Citibank, Connect One Bank, Decotech, Inc.; Anton, Epstein, Harrison Rand, and Otterstedt Insurance Agency.

Joining these sponsors were: BMW of Tenafly, Boyd Richards Park & Colonnelli, P.L., Carol Geisenheimer, Dawn and Armando Diaz, Steven D. Wielkotz, GJEM-Otterstedt Insurance Agency, Inc., Hanover Insurance Agency, ISU Agency Network, Joe and Judy Klyde, Lakeland Bank, Loren and Jennifer Wimpfheimer, PNC Bank, RSK, Selective Insurance, Shelly and Justin Wimpfheimer, TD Bank, Thomas Manolio and Barbara Strauss, Valley National Bank, Vergona Crane and Visions Federal Credit Union.

Other sponsors included: AIG Private Client Group, Blanco-Daly Group, Farmers of Salem, Floor & Décor, Gemini Restoration, Joan Van Alstyne Johnson, Louise Schwartz, Cos., Michael Gandolfo, Nationwide, Phil Ball, Raymond James, Romer Debbas LLP, Stop and Shop, Wolfgang's Inc., and WR Berkley Charitable Foundation on behalf of Berkley Luxury Group.

For further information about The Community Chest, visit the organization's website or call 201-568-7474.