Dazzling Night of Dancing Helps Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey Support Seniors in Need

Toms River, NJ (June 12, 2017)—It was an exciting night as supporters of Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (CVCJ) attended the Third Annual Dancing With Their Stars fundraiser. The competition was fierce as contestants knew every step would give more seniors in Ocean and Monmouth County the chance to remain independent in their own homes.

The competition took place at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood and featured a dream team of community leaders from both nonprofit and business organizations. The Jay & Linda Grunin Foundation was the event sponsor.

“Seeing our community come together to support our vulnerable residents is so heartwarming,” said Lynette Whiteman, CVCJ Executive Director. “It was an incredibly fun night, but bottom line, we will be able to offer our free assistance to even more seniors because of everyone’s generosity.”

After long days at work, the dancing duos spent exhausting hours in the studios of Shore DanceSport in Brick and Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Manasquan. Here they learned from pros who donated their time and expertise, so each pair had a fair chance to win the two Mirror Ball Trophies.

And the Winning Dancing Duos for this year’s competition are…

Mirror Ball 3rd Annual Dancing With Their Stars Competition Winners
Tracey & Roland Rodriguez, Clinic Directors and Physical Therapists for Atlantic Physical Therapy Center in Toms River and Lacey.

Mirror Ball People’s Choice Award Winning Couple
Kelly Fliller of The Jay & Linda Grunin Foundation and Phil Brilliant, owner of Brilliant Environmental Services in Toms River.

The remaining teams of dedicated dancers included…

Patty Caneda, chef and owner of Caneda’s Empanada Experience and the White Rooster Restaurant in Toms River; and Mark Malinowski, founder of SocialTrend Internet Solutions.

Valerie Jacoby and Charles Benjamin, co-workers at Harrogate Senior Living Community in Lakewood.

Malissa Smith of Brandywine Senior Living in Toms River, and Chadd Smith, owner of Jersey Shore Electric in Point Pleasant.

Liz Altilio from Senior Care of Brick and Dan Altilio with United Way of Hudson County.

The judges panel featured...

JAX, Celebrity Judge and American Idol Season 14 contestant, Mary Hicks, CVCJ Octogenarian, Pat Scimeca, CVCJ Board of Directors, and Jim Buffum and Tara Cunningham, 2016 “People’s Choice” Award Winners.

CVCJ would like to thank this year’s generous sponsors for their support: The Jay & Linda Grunin Foundation—$5,000 Event Sponsor, Community Medical Center, Community Medical Staff, Preferred Home Care, HealthSouth, O’Brien FH, Wells Fargo, Centra State, Atlantic Medical Imaging, H&R Block, Atlantic Physical Therapy Center, TD Bank, Rose Garden Nursing & Rehab, CreativeClick Media, and Kiwanis Daybreak of Toms River. All proceeds support CVCJ’s mission to empower Ocean and Monmouth County seniors, the disabled, and veterans to remain independent in their own homes.

For additional information about CVCJ programs, visit CaregiverVolunteers.org.

ABOUT CAREGIVER VOLUNTEERS OF CENTRAL JERSEY (CVCJ)

CVCJ provides vital assistance to seniors, the disabled, veterans, and caregivers of loved ones with chronic illness or dementia, so they can continue living independently in their own homes. All services are free of charge and delivered by 1,200 volunteers to over 2,500 Ocean and Monmouth County residents over the age of 60, who no longer drive. Volunteers provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, reassuring phone calls, friendly visits, and relief for family caregivers. The Caregiver Canines® program brings certified comfort dogs to the homes of dog-loving seniors who can no longer care for a pet. To learn more about CVCJ, visit www.caregivervolunteers.org or call 732-505-2273. For Caregiver Canines® program information, go to caregivercanines.org.

“Caring for People by People Who Care”