United Way of Monmouth Holds Fine Jewelry Event to Launch Women's Leadership Council

On Thursday, May 21 from 6 to 9 p.m., United Way of Monmouth County will hold a jewelry event at Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry in Manalapan to launch United Way’s new Women’s Leadership Council, a group of philanthropic women volunteers focused on meeting the educational needs of children throughout the region by supporting several key initiatives of United Way of Monmouth County. The jewelry event will feature complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and up to 20 percent of all sales during the evening will directly support community efforts led by the Women’s Leadership Council.

United Way of Monmouth County’s Women’s Leadership Council was created to foster positive economic and social change and to help ensure that children in our area receive a quality education that prepares them for higher learning or employment. Specifically, the Women’s Leadership Council supports these United Way programs and partnerships:

• An early grade reading program that offers learning activities and books throughout the summer months when children with limited or no access to these resources tend to fall behind.

• A Career Connections program in Asbury Park High School, which works with students to help them stay in school, develop career pathways, learn work readiness skills and gain employment.

• A Stuff the Bus drive for school supplies and a Warmest Wishes drive for children’s winter clothing to give local children the tools they need to focus on their education.

“We believe that when a network of caring women get together to raise funds and drive change, anything is possible,” says Patricia Howard, a United Way of Monmouth County Board member and Chair of the Women’s Leadership Council. “I’ve seen first-hand how the early grade reading program fosters the love of reading at a young age, building the foundation that children need to progress in their education. Likewise, the school supply and clothing drives give children the resources they need to focus on their studies, and the Career Connections program ensures that more local teens are ready for success beyond high school.”

The Women’s Leadership Council has several membership levels to accommodate the various abilities of women in the community to contribute both their time and dollars, with donations per member starting at $500 annually. Beyond the annual financial contribution, members can invest their time, professional expertise and talent to advance causes they care about, while having an opportunity to connect with other powerful, committed women in the community.

For more information, please call 732.938.5988, ext. 2042. To download a membership form, visit www.uwmonmouth.org/WLC.

Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry is located at 55 U.S. Highway 9 South in Manalapan, and carries a variety of designer brands. For directions, please visit www.GaryMichaelsFineJewelry.com.

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About United Way of Monmouth County

Founded in 1967, United Way of Monmouth County is dedicated to improving the lives of people in Monmouth County by mobilizing the caring power of our community and advancing the common good in education, income and health. United Way of Monmouth County partners with area nonprofits, businesses, governments, individuals and volunteers to build initiatives that create lasting change while encouraging others to give, advocate and volunteer for the benefit of our community. This mission has taken on even greater significance as countless people throughout our region still struggle to recover from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy. To learn more about United Way of Monmouth County, please visit uwmonmouth.org.