Not your Nonna's meatballs!

CONTACT: Kristin Meyler 732-820-4792 kmeyler@townshipofwall.com DATE: February 18, 2015 Third Annual Jersey Shore Meatball Gala Slated for April 16 Innovative food-tasting and competition to benefit Project Graduation Meatball lovers and chefs from around Monmouth and Ocean Counties are gearing up for the Third Annual Jersey Shore Meatball Gala to be held Thursday, April 16, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the South Wall Banquet Facilities in Wall Township. Proceeds from the fun and innovative food tasting benefit Wall High School Project Graduation, the all-night drug and alcohol-free event held each year for graduating high school seniors. “After two fabulous events, this year we can’t wait to see what the chefs come up with,” say Meatball Gala Co-Chairwomen Keri DiRocco and Sherry French-Habermann, both of Wall. “We do know that there will be great fun, great food, and some serious meatball competition again this year” Keri and Sherry explain that the event typically draws up to a dozen area chefs who showcase their creative cooking in categories such as Best Traditional Meatball, Most Creative Meatball, Best Swimming Meatball, Best Non-Meat Meatball, Most Oddball Meatball, and more. Judging is done by a panel of experts, and the People’s Choice award is voted on by Gala attendees. “At the end of the night, we will award the ‘Best in Show: The Meanest Meatball of the Jersey Shore’ to the meatball the judges like best, and the ‘People’s Choice Award’ to the meatball chosen by the guests,” she adds. In addition to a variety of sauced and un-sauced meatballs, there will also be pasta and non-meat dishes, salads, bread, beer, wine, desserts, and coffee. The event is being sponsored by Wall Cares, Inc. a non-profit dedicated to the Wall Township community. “Wall Cares, Inc. is extremely pleased to support the Meatball Gala and Project Graduation,” says Clint Hoffman, Wall Cares President and Wall Township Committeeman. “We need to ensure the safety of our graduating seniors each year in the best way possible and Project Graduation does just that while also allowing the students to have a great night in celebration of their graduation. I wish it was around when I graduated Wall High.” RESTAURANTS AND SPONSORS ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE The committee is currently seeking area restaurants and chefs to participate in the Gala. There is no cost to enter the competition, just the supplies needed to make your meatball specialty. Restaurants and food vendors are also needed for sides, breads, salads, soft drinks, and other items. All donors and participating restaurants will receive recognition in the ad journal program. Sponsorship Opportunities are also available for businesses, individuals and families who wish to support this exciting annual event and help underwrite the event’s cost. Sponsorships start as low as $100. The event will be held at the South Wall Banquet Facility at South Wall firehouse and will also feature entertainment and a 50/50 cash raffle. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 on the day of the event and include all food, beer, wine and soft drinks. For tickets and restaurant/sponsor information, contact Wall Alliance Coordinator Kristin Meyler at 732-820-4792. PROJECT GRADUATION All monies raised through the Gala will be donated by Wall Cares to the Wall Alliance for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, the group that funds and organizes Project Graduation. “Project Graduation is an important event in our community because graduation night is historically a time when teens confuse ‘partying’ with celebrating,” says Wall Alliance Chairman Mary Lynn Morris. “This event gives the kids a safe place to celebrate their achievement and ensures they’ll come home healthy (and exhausted) the next day.” What most people do not realize, she says, is that the Wall Alliance pays for the huge all-night event and raises between $15,000 and $20,000 each year to fund it. Money is raised through donations from area businesses, individuals and community organizations; a raffle; grants; gifts-in-kind; and fund-raising special events.