Metro NJ Planned Parenthood Takes ‘Solidarity Gala’ Online

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan of New Jersey. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

In October of 2019 Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan of New Jersey hosted a packed room of almost 300 guests at The Wilshire Grand in West Orange. This year with overwhelming support from donors, volunteers and others looking to help the reproductive healthcare agency, the annual gala goes remote on November 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Dubbed the “Solidarity Gala,” the event will focus on reproductive justice, equality and access to reproductive healthcare and feature a keynote address from Planned Parenthood Federation of American CEO and president, Alexis McGill Johnson. McGill Johnson is a renowned social and racial justice leader, lifelong political and cultural organizer, and a tireless advocate for reproductive rights and access to quality, affordable health care.

Event organizers, including Marcia Mann, Senior Director of Development at PPMNJ said they’ve been “overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, donations and bids on our silent auction. People love this organization and recognize how crucial our services are to the folks we serve in Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties.”

This year has posed unique and difficult challenges for the affiliate, which serves more than 20,000 patients annually (18% of whom are men). The loss of Title X funding in 2019 compounded with the Covid-19 crisis have both presented the health centers with funding challenges, but PPMNJ leadership is confident they will continue to live their mission to “care no matter what.”

“We are here to serve our patients no matter what it takes,” said PPMNJ CEO Roslyn Rogers Collins. “We appreciate the incredible generosity we have seen leading up to this event and look forward to an inspiring and meaningful speech from our fearless leader, Alexis McGill Johnson.”

The event will feature video messages from Governor Phil Murphy, Senator Cory Booker and TV personality and President of the Center for American Progress, Neera Tanden. Supporters can purchase tickets and bid on silent auction items via the event website: www.ppmnjgala.org.

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