Y of Western Monmouth County Announces 2018 Charity Ball Honorees

Freehold, NJ January 22, 2018 – The YMCA of Western Monmouth County has announced its “2018 Charity Ball—For A Better Us” will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Battleground Country Club. This year, the Y will honor Encon Mechanical Corp., owned by Martin & David Indursky, as Business of the Year; Barry Gordon of OGP Architects, LLP as Volunteer of the Year; and Marlene Rogala, owner of Especially For You Florist & Gift Shop Inc., as Community Partner of the Year.

Encon Mechanical was formed in 1968 by Martin Indursky, following his 1963 honorable discharge from the US Army Aviation Branch and five years of working as a mechanical engineer for a New York City engineering firm. As his wife, Micki, recalls, "it was pretty scary since we had almost no savings and our daughter, Lauren, was just 2 years old." Joined by his son and Encon President, David, in 1992 upon his graduation from SUNY Albany, they’ve grown Encon Mechanical Corp. into a highly successful, multi-million dollar business serving corporate clients throughout the state of New Jersey and employing 80 full-time staff.

For the past 20 years, Barry Gordon has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Western Monmouth County after previously serving two years on the Board of Directors for the Hightstown/East Windsor YMCA. His volunteer positions at the YMCA have included Second Vice Chairman, Chairman of the Property Committee, and Chairman of the Hightstown/East Windsor Branch. His firm, OGP Architects, LLP, has not only been an 11-time sponsor of the Y’s gala, but has also played a significant role in the development of the properties of the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, including the design of the renovations to the Freehold YMCA, the design of the Old Bridge YMCA, and various projects at Camp Topanemus.

Especially For You Florist & Gift Shop, family-owned and located in downtown Freehold since 1976, has been run by Marlene Rogala since her mother’s retirement in 1988. Today, Especially For You employs nine full-time employees and delivers 20,000 floral arrangements each year. Marlene has always been very active in local and professional associations throughout her career, and she was most recently honored with an American Flag that was flown over Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, by Joint Task Force 1, presented by the Lt. Dennis Zielinski Memorial Fund in recognition for her support of the armed services during Operation Freedom's Sentinel - 2017. Running a successful business enables Marlene to share her talent and resources with local community fundraising events, such as the Y’s Annual Gala, as well as CentraState Hospital's “Evening in the Vineyards”, “A Toast to Dennis” - Lt. Dennis. Zielinski Memorial Fund, and Toys For Tots among others.

Lou Russo, co-host of radio’s “Lou & Liz in the Morning” show on 94.3 The Point, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, which will feature ticket and silent auctions, a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing to the music of the Total Soul band. Tickets are on sale now for $195 per person. Exciting sponsorship opportunities are also available. 50/50 cash raffle tickets for this year’s Ball are also on sale for $100 with three fantastic prizes - 1st Prize - 35% of winning share up to $17,500; 2nd Prize -10% of winning share up to $5,000; 3rd Prize - 5% of winning share up to $2,500 Only 500 Tickets will be sold, and winners need not be present. All proceeds of the Ball will benefit the YCares Financial Assistance Program, through which the Y provides programs and services to all members of the community regardless of their ability to pay.

“With our doors open to all, we bring together people from all backgrounds, to support those in need,” says YMCA of Western Monmouth County Interim Pres./CEO, Sharon Halpin. “Every day, the Y supports kids, adults, seniors and families with programs that protect, teach, connect, heal, nourish and encourage. Everything we do helps empower communities and the “us” who live in them to thrive.”

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and additional information, please call Michele Born at 732.462.0464, ext. 125, or e-mail mborn@ymcanj.org, or visit www.ymcanj.org.

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About The YMCA of Western Monmouth County

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. For over 120 years, the YMCA of Western Monmouth County has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. In 2016, the YMCA of Western Monmouth County provided over $350,000 in financial assistance to the children, families and seniors of our community. For more information, visit www.ymcanj.org.