Another Year of Giving with the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) does more than provide outstanding services, events, and resources to help area businesses succeed. The MRCC also lends generous support to local nonprofit and community groups in a variety of ways. In 2022, as in past years, the organization hosted a number of events where members, sponsors, and guests could enjoy fun activities while networking and offering assistance to worthy causes.

In June, for instance, the MRCC hit the links at Knob Hill Country Club in Manalapan, NJ for the annual Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing. Event co-chairs Bonnie Preston and Mark Viggiani and their hardworking committee organized a fantastic day for more than 100 golfers and guests who turned out to play, take chances in the basket raffle, and enjoy a wonderful awards dinner. In the fall, a portion of the proceeds from the golf outing went to benefit the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Jr. ROTC Scholarship Fund and the Victor Zando Foundation’s Adopt-a-Family Program for Christmas. Each of the two nonprofits received a donation check for $2,500.

In September, the MRCC Young Professionals Group hosted their 2022 Caring with Karaoke fundraiser at Tre Pizza Pasta Beer Garden in Freehold, NJ. The annual event featured a singing competition with celebrity judges, as well as raffle prizes, a dinner buffet, and networking. MRCC Young Professionals Group Co-chairs Kathrine Dwyer and Kerri Gazerwitz, Caring with Karaoke Co-Chair Jaclyn Patterson, and their committee put together a fabulously fun evening for nearly 150 guests to raise funds for The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation. On December 2, a $3,800 check was donated to the foundation to help expand its programs and continue its mission of providing education, intervention, and support to families and individuals dealing with domestic violence, sexual abuse, and missing loved ones.

December 1 was the date of the special Holiday Edition of the MRCC Women in Business Luncheon, held at Yesterday's Restaurant in Hazlet, NJ, where members and guests enjoyed lunch, networking, and shopping with a variety of local vendors that were on hand to present their wares. At the luncheon, the MRCC also collected donations of canned cat food for Tommy's Cats as well as gently used coats and unwrapped toys for the Community Affairs & Resource Center.

Later in December, the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Bayshore Senior Center Holiday Party in Keansburg, NJ, where members volunteered to serve up a hot dinner, raffle prizes, gifts, live music, and dancing for senior citizens in the community.

All year long, members lent active support by volunteering, donating, and collecting items for various charities and causes that are near and dear to the hearts of other MRCC members. But community service and volunteerism are only the beginning. Throughout 2022, the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce also presented 11 major annual events, 11 Business After Hours events, 4 business ribbon-cutting celebrations, 68 Perkolator (PERK) Networking Breakfasts, 4 joint events with other organizations, 5 Women in Business Luncheons, 12 Women in Business monthly Zoom meetings, 12 Young Professionals Group monthly Zoom meetings, and 23 additional member events.

And to kick off the new year, the best networking morning event in New Jersey will become even better, as the MRCC Perkolator Networking Breakfast moves to the Marlboro Diner, at 143 US Highway 9 South in Marlboro, NJ, starting Friday, January 6 from 8:00 to 9:15 a.m. Attendees will enjoy a freshly cooked breakfast while networking with MRCC members and future members from local businesses. Going forward, PERKS will be held in person every Friday at the Marlboro Diner except for the last Friday of the month, when the meeting will take place via Zoom. Each PERK meeting features a different guest speaker from within the MRCC membership to share knowledge, inspiration, and relevant information. Each breakfast is also a great opportunity to give your own 30-second commercial and develop meaningful business relationships.

The Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce offers numerous ways to get involved, take advantage of its resources, and bring your business to the next level while giving back to the community. To learn more and to become a member, visit www.monmouthregionalchamber.com, call 732-462-3030, or e-mail info@MonmouthRegionalChamber.com, and follow Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.