The Community YMCA to Honor Borough of Red Bank & Local Volunteers at Annual Benefit Sept. 27 Celebrating 140 Years of Service

The borough of Red Bank and several local residents will be acknowledged for their long-time support of The Community YMCA at the organization’s Annual Benefit, celebrating 140 years of service, on Saturday, September 27, at Camp Arrowhead in Marlboro.

The Annual Benefit will celebrate the many volunteers, donors, community organizations and members that have supported the Y’s mission to ensure that everyone - regardless of age, income or background - has access to life-changing YMCA programs and services.

Event Chairman Gustav “Gus” Fingado, IV, of Shrewsbury, said the Y is pleased to present the Community Partner Award to the town of Red Bank, where the Y was founded. Fingado noted that the award honors organizations that support the Y’s efforts in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

In 1874, a group of Red Bank clergy and business leaders established The Community YMCA to give young men a safe haven to improve their spiritual, mental, social and physical well-being. The borough has been an invaluable partner of the Y ever since to help all individuals and families in Red Bank live healthier. The organization now serves over 20,000 people in greater Monmouth County.

The borough and the Y are currently partnering on the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign to provide residents with opportunities for active living. One of the signature programs of the campaign is the Fitness in the Park Series, which invites residents to gather one night a week from April to October for free Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi and Pilates classes at Riverside Gardens Park. The borough and the Y have also worked together on the Shaping Red Bank Healthy Pick initiative in local bodegas and on the Healthy Kids Membership, which provides all children in Red Bank, pre-k to 8th grade, no-cost Y memberships.

The Y will also recognize Y members and Eatontown residents Lynn and Steve “Biddy” Bidgood. They will be presented the Distinguished Citizen Award, given to those who demonstrate outstanding civic and volunteer leadership in the community. The Eatontown residents have dedicated much of their personal and professional lives to local community service. Through their charitable efforts, the Bidgoods have raised over $1 million for worthy local organizations - including the Y - and have helped improve the quality of life for many of their fellow neighbors. Steve Bidgood is Managing Partner of Salt Creek Grille in Rumson and has served as a member of the Y board for over 10 years. Lynn Bidgood works part-time at the Y’s Red Bank facility and volunteers for the American Red Cross.

Volunteers, past and present, who’ve made a significant impact on the nonprofit’s 140 year history will be honored with the Legacy Award as follows:

· Chester Apy of Red Bank, a former Monmouth County Assemblyman, who was elected President of The Community YMCA in 1974 at the centennial annual meeting. He played a pivotal role in the growth of the Y during the 1970s.

· Thomas Register, Red Bank, has helped expand the Y Achievers initiative and other outreach programs designed to prepare young people for college and the workforce. The owner of Del Rose Cleaning Company, he has been involved with the Y for eight years.

· Dr. James W. Parker, Sr., deceased, organized the Westside Y in Red Bank in 1931, and his son Dr. James W. Parker, Jr., also deceased, carried on his father’s legacy to continue to solidify the growth of the Westside Y for 27 years.

· Harry Greenwood, Middletown, served two terms on the Y Board of Directors in the 1950s and 70s and helped raise over $800,000 in a capital campaign that funded a major expansion of the Y’s Red Bank facility.

· Richard Maser of Long Branch and CEO/President of Maser Consulting, has a 25-year history of supporting the Y. A former member of the Board of Directors and Board of Managers for the Y’s counseling and social services, he has helped raise over $1 million to support the Y.

· Dan Matarese, Marlboro, served as chairman of the Y’s Camp Board of Managers for three years and has contributed to the growth of The Community YMCA’s two outdoor day camps. The owner of Danco General Contracting, he currently serves on the Board of Directors and has been involved with the Y for six years.

• Chris Mosley, Marlboro, is president of Complete Security Systems and has served a three-year term on the Camp Board of Managers, providing leadership to the expansion of outdoor recreation for the Y. He also served as co-chair of last year’s Annual Benefit and has volunteered for the Y for six years.

· Jay Patock, of Oceanport, owner of Patock Construction and long-time supporter of the Y, took the lead in reconstructing The Children’s Learning Center in Matawan in 1993, which has become the main hub of childcare services for the Y.

The benefit will begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails in the Carr Pavilion featuring music by Pat Roddy and Chris Giunco. Dinner by Merri-makers Caterers will follow, along with dancing to the music of Tim McLoone & the Shirleys. The evening will include a look back at the Y’s 140 years of serving the greater Monmouth County community, plus silent and live auctions and a 50/50 cash raffle.

Support for the benefit will help the Y ensure that everyone – regardless of ability to pay, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive through Y programs such as afterschool care, youth sports, health and wellness, swim lessons, summer camp, teen leadership and counseling and social services.

Individual tickets and sponsorships for the 140th Anniversary Journal are still available by calling the Y at 732.671.5505, ext. 119 or visiting www.TheCommunityYMCA.org/Benefit.

About The Community YMCA

The Y is a leading nonprofit charity that strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Community YMCA serves more than 20,000 residents in greater Monmouth County through programs such as: preschool, before and after school care, health and wellness, leadership, arts enrichment, personal and family counseling and summer day camp. With a mission to serve all, more than $660,000 in reduced and free membership fees and programs is provided by the YCares financial assistance program to individuals and families in need. For more information, visit TheCommunityYMCA.org.