Lambertville Resident to be Honored by Advancing Opportunities

EWING, NJ, March 28, 2018 – Advancing Opportunities, Inc., a leading provider of services for people with disabilities, announced today the individuals and organizations that will be honored at their 3rd Annual Spring Hoedown on Friday, May 4, 2018 including Lambertville resident and retired Middlesex County Community College Vice President Warren Kelemen.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given each year to an individual who has dedicated significant time to serving Advancing Opportunities and has made a significant impact on the agency. Kelemen has served on the Board of Advancing Opportunities for the last twelve years. His leadership as a past president of the board has been critical to the agency during a time of incredible growth. During his tenure, Advancing Opportunities’ annual operating budget quadrupled, as did the number of people with disabilities the agency was able to serve.

“We have experienced extraordinary growth during Warren’s time on our board,” said CEO Jack Mudge. “Bold leadership from our volunteer Board of Directors has helped us to not only increase the number of people with disabilities we are able to reach but also to improve the level of service we provide. Warren has been a key part of that effort, and we look forward to recognizing him at the Hoedown.”

The Spring Hoedown is Advancing Opportunities’ largest fundraising event of the year bringing together over 250 business and community leaders from across the State. Funds raised support critical programs like Career Development, Weekend Recreation, and Caregiver Respite along with, the agency’s 18 group residential programs and the largest Assistive Technology Center in the State.

Other honorees at the event will be Investors Bank with the Corporate Citizenship Award and Gail Pfister with the Elizabeth M. Boggs Award for Advocacy. Morgan Neumann will receive the Andrew J. Murphy award which is given annually to someone who receives services from the agency.

The Spring Hoedown will be held at Laurita Winery in New Egypt from 6:00-11:00 pm on Friday, May 4th. In a departure from other fundraising galas, the Hoedown Committee invites attendees to dress in casual, country-inspired attire. Live music and line dancing will be provided by NashEast. Businesses and individuals can support the event through sponsorship, by placing an ad in the ad journal, by participating in the on-line silent auction, and by purchasing tickets. Full details about the Spring Hoedown can be found on Advancing Opportunities’ website: www.advopps.org/hoedown.

Sponsors of the event include the George Link Charitable Foundation, StemCyte, HBK CPAs and Consultants, Investors Bank, IPPC Pharmacy, the Mercadien Group, Pennington Quality Market, PSEG, EisnerAmper, Fulton Bank, Berkshire Bank, PNC, and Sharbell Development.

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About Advancing Opportunities

Established in 1950, Advancing Opportunities is a leading provider of disability services in the State of New Jersey, serving over 1000 individuals with disabilities and their families each year. The agency’s scope of services includes residential services, advocacy, college and career counseling, employment services, community and individual supports, family supports, and the Assistive Technology Center. The mission of Advancing Opportunities is to achieve full societal participation for all people with disabilities. For more information about the agency visit www.advopps.org.

PHOTO (Credit Advancing Opportunities)

Warren Kelemen (left) reviews new SmartHome technology in Advancing Opportunities’ group home for people with disabilities in Jackson, NJ with the agency’s Assistive Technology Director Fred Tchang (right). Kelemen will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award from Advancing Opportunities on May 4.