Family Resource Associates, Inc.
News & Events
Events
FRA's 29th ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
Monday, June 21, 2010
The newly renovated and expanded Navesink Country Club was the setting for FRA’s 29th annual Golf Outing. It was a spectacular day for over 114 golfers, who enjoyed the fairways, the vistas looking over the Navesink River, and the breeze on this warm June Monday. It is always fun to visit with so many of our players and catch up as we do annually. FRA has golfers who are amazing supporters of this event; coming for many years to make this day successful so we are able to help children with disAbilities and their families. And, we are fortunate to have a great golf committee and group of volunteers on hand who are key to making the day run smoothly for all.
FRA is privileged to have many generous and dedicated sponsors. We thank all of them for being a part of the Golf Outing and for their terrific contributions. Thanks to them and all participants, the day generated over $74,000! What a great accomplishment in these economically challenging times. Our golfers are THE BEST!
Click Here to view a SLIDE SHOW of the days events and be sure to watch for next year’s terrific 30 year celebration!!
THANK YOU TO OUR VERY GENEROUS SPONSORS
Gold Sponsors
Tullett Prebon Holdings, Inc.– Kerry Ripp and John Hartley
The Cartier Family – Mark Cartier
Silver Sponsors
BGC Partners – James Formisano
BTEC Repo – Joseph Flood
Fundamental Brokers – Tom Hanley
ICAP Capital Markets, LLC – Ray Connolly
ICAP Securities USA – John Kennedy
Investors Savings Bank – Cathy Murray
Timothy 6:17 Foundation - The Dolan Family
Bronze Sponsors
Ameriprise – Derek Eldridge
Credo Exports – (FRA’s Clothing Drive) – Howard Kovelman
Courtyard Basking Ridge Marriott – Scott Selby
Morgan Stanley – Haris Hot
Northfield Bank – Jeff Schnorbus
The Sheeser Family – William Sheeser
Tradition Asiel Securities – Rich Preziosi
WE RAN AWAY TO THE CIRCUS!
Two terrific Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus performances were enjoyed by almost 30 of our students, family and friends; thanks to the generous donation by Press Communications Radio, LLC (the Breeze 107.1, Thunder 98.5, & Hit 106.) The group was given circus bags, beautiful color programs, and a souvenir. A great evening show thrilled the young adults who sat in the suite box to watch amazing acts of daring and suspense. JC Maimone, Ocean Township, loved visiting the wardrobe area as everyone got to meet various performers and tried on many costumes. Being a part of the early activities to set up for the evening performance added to the excitement for the group. "It was a wonderful show and a funundrum of a night", said Maureen, his mom. The whole experience made for many memories!
The Saturday afternoon show found our preschoolers and young children loving the suite box, allowing them to move around safely and having a great view of the circus activities. Lisa Dumont, Rumson, said "The suite box made it possible to bring (4 year old) Samantha who can get overwhelmed by the noise and crowded area." Marie Rosenfeld, Wall Township, said, "While it took Sean (also 4 years old) a bit of time to warm up, everyone had a blast!" The children were overjoyed to see the animals and all of the fancy hats and silly clowns.
Thank you Press Communications, Mr. John Furno, General Manager and Diane Pellegrino, Marketing and Promotions Director, for making these special days at the circus possible for a great group of people!
- Click here to view photos
PossAbilities Walk
& A DAY OF SPORTS PLAY
with the HAWKS
Saturday, May 8, 20109 AM - 12PM at Monmouth University,
West Long Branch, NJThis year HAWK, Monmouth University's sports teams Mascot, joined us. Thanks to over 30 MU Student Peer Leader Athletes representing the many MU Division I teams, the group filled the morning with various fun activities. The athletes set up basketball, lacrosse, golf, soccer, obstacle course, baseball throw, football and numerous other fun sports for the participants. "This was really a special day thanks to the terrific MU athletes and the team staff members, who all gave so generously," said Nancy Phalanukorn, FRA Executive Director. They were a great group of volunteers, keeping the children well engaged in play and making it a fun-filled time. "It's very rewarding to give back to the community and be able to put a smile on a kid's face," said Bryan Meredith, a junior on the men's soccer team. "This event gives the kids a chance, at least for one day, to feel like a Division I athlete, and I am honored to be a part of it."
Two major walk teams filled the Kessler Field stadium to celebrate their special family member: Team Lindsay (Pollard) and Team Hannah (Piasecki). The families were excited to participate and to meet other families. And both of them have come away winning great prizes, based upon the money they raised for FRA on their FirstGiving pages. "It was a pleasure to meet so many families and to see the children just having a great time with these athletes", said Nancy Phalanukorn. "This is one opportunity for families with infants with special needs to meet others who share their concerns and desire to have their children out having fun," she added.
Our thanks to Chick-fil-A the generous food sponsor, for providing delicious chicken fingers, sandwiches, drinks, salads and desserts. Manager, Amy McCloy, said, "This is one of the best events we have supported here, because so many of the children love The COW (Eat Mor Chikin), their mascot." Most children indeed were amazed and thrilled to see a walking HAWK and a walking CHICKEN too, all on one day! And some ran and hid if the characters got too close...but we can all relate to that!
Thanks to all for making this fun day a huge success!
Click here to read Monmouth University's article and to view photos
Mid Atlantic Resource Group's 2nd Annual Casino Royale Night
Mid Atlantic Resource Group's (MARG)
2nd Annual Casino Royale Night
Branches in West Long Branch, NJ
March 27, 2010, 7PM - 12PM
$125 per person or $1,000 table of 10
Cocktail Attire, Open Bar, Dinner, DJ, Dancing, Casino, Silent Auction, Gift Baskets & 50/50.For more information, please call 732-922-6300
WHAT GREAT SUPPORTERS! Look who is helping and see the many ways to make Miracles happen at FRA!!
At this time of giving and giving thanks, we have much to be thankful for! We have been the recipient of many wonderful gifts to celebrate our 30th Anniversary.
In late November The Monmouth Park Charities Fund awarded FRA with a generous gift of $2,000 to continue our vital family support programs. Look for the news brief and photos in the Two River Times of Red Bank, NJ. Our appreciation goes out to the Monmouth Park Charities Committee for their work all year long giving so much to the Monmouth County community of non-profit services and agencies.
Hope YOU were listening to 95.9 WRAT radio Thanksgiving week to hear their 10th annual 48 hour marathon of giving to the community. Thanks to all of the many people who brought down their donated clothing and household goods for the FRA Clothing Drive, we were able to collect over 5000 LBS of good, gently used clothing!! Thanks to Doug and all of the super Rockin' DJ's at the station.
Futures and Options for Kids of New York has been a major contributor to the TECHConnection for the past 22 years, allowing the creation of many excellent programs for our youth using computers. It was a bittersweet reception last week when they awarded FRA $50,000 as the last of their grants. Sadly, as the world of the commodities exchange has changed, they are no longer able to continue with their wonderful charity work through this joint foundation. We will miss all of our friends and hope to have them visit!
Two generous families have made exceptional stock donations to FRA this month, amounting to nearly $13,000! Stock donations are a wonderful end of the year contribution, which help us make miracles to the children attending our many programs.
The Chancy Foundation, Phyllis Solomon President, has donated beautiful, plush stuffed toys for all of the young children attending dance classes! And, the four classes of young adults are receiving a theater trip to see, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown", playing at the Two Rivers Theater in Red Bank. So much joy in this kind giving!
Using GoodSearch, there were over 6100 searches this year that contributed to receiving a check of over $75.00. It really helps when you use this search engine, powered by Yahoo!
JOIN in the celebration with your ONLINE donation TODAY!
FRA BUILDING RENOVATIONS
FRA has been housed at 35 Haddon Ave., Shrewsbury for 29 years. Gradually we have taken over more space, building behind garage doors and then up to a second floor, which was added 19 years ago. This approach created both poor traffic flow and poor use of space.
This past June we started doing major renovations to the entire first floor. While we are still in transition, we have to show off some of the new look and send our thanks to the many volunteers who made this all possible.
In late June, 15 men from the Knights of Columbus Prince of Peace Council #5903, helped to tear down 29 years of walls and moved cabinets and 8 rooms of furniture. This allowed for painting of all the walls, thanks to the office staff. Fortunately, through our Board member Scott Selby, the Courtyard by Marriott donated beautiful new carpet. Gary Blasco, of ProSales, Inc. of New York (and FRA parent) installed the carpet over a weekend and we were ready to go. Our friends from AT&T gave us another "AT&T Cares" Day to clean up the front and back yard, making it ready for summer program to begin.The start of the biggest change came in late August from Austin Wilson, with the help of Troop 50 Boy Scouts and family. Austin's Eagle Scout project created a new hallway to ease the traffic flow. Then our large, multipurpose room was transformed by tearing out more wall cabinets and closets, putting up molding, painting and then installing new wood flooring. Thanks to Austin and all of Troop 50, we now have a beautiful new Dance Room.
Our front office was changed into a family room and thanks to the Ruane family, a large flat screen TV was installed to allow families to watch their children in dance class. IT IS GREAT!!
8th ANNUAL PAUL FELIS BOAT TRIP
Fun, Food and lots of Fishing aboard the "Freddy C" delighted over 60 teens and adults as they came together celebrating the memory of Paul Felis, an avid FRA supporter and fisherman. Joining the group, from Vermont was his son Matt and wife, Janet. This annual gathering is a great way for his past co-workers from RBC Dain Rauscher, Shrewsbury, NJ to keep his memory alive and keep in touch with the people who loved Paul and what he did to help children with disAbilities. RBC Dain Rauscher, provides the food, volunteers and fun together with the Sandy Hook Bay Anglers, who provide the boat from Atlantic Highlands. The afternoon and evening trip was spent out on Sandy Hook Bay, and the crew of the "Freddy C" were a real help to everyone. Thanks to all! Catch a look at the pictures!
"DANCE WITH JAY" has great celebration party!
It was a great celebration dance party for all of the "Dance with Jay" students. Having completed another year of learning new dances and getting to express their own style, the students showed off their hip-hop steps and some amazing break dancing. For the third year, the Bradley Beach Fire Department generously donated the use of their space for this evening and the Luau decorations added a festive look. The Firemen and especially Mr. Joe Malysko, who manages the banquet room, were very helpful.
"Jammin' J", the evening's DJ as well as dance instructor, Jay Bowman, is an amazing and motivational teacher. Couples dancing included the Oldies, music of the 50's and Latin music, that wowed the crowds. All of the standard line dances, new and old, were played. Everyone had a terrific time.
Take a look at the photos to glimpse some of the fun. "Dance with Jay" classes are held throughout the year on Monday and Tuesday evenings for older teens and adults with disAbilities.
A CELEBRATION OF 30 YEARS!
The PossAbilities Walk, TECH Expo and 30th Anniversary Picnic was a great success!
Our gratitude goes out to our Silver Sponsor, Marriott's New Jersey Business Council. Radio station HIT106 (106.3 FM) greeted everyone with their hit music from under their gazebo. Participants enjoyed face painting, arts & crafts and a drawing contest. The TECH Expo, sponsored in part by a grant from the Gannett Foundation, gave everyone the chance to explore interesting and useful assistive technology devices.
The walkers gathered to hear The National Anthem sung by 14-year-old Maria Martino, whose sibling attends FRA. Four children carried the FRA Banner leading the mile-long walk around the path at the beautiful Atlantic Club in Manasquan. Volunteers cheered them on, as well as checkpoint signs sponsored by their families, friends and other community members. The volunteers consisted of students from Manasquan High School, St. John Vianney High School of Holmdel and Communications High School of Wall.
The walk was followed by a family barbecue lunch featuring Buster the Blue Claws mascot. Joining in the celebration were six of the FRA founding families who came to catch up with everyone. "Dancing with Jay" was a big hit with all participants as they danced to music provided by Jammin' Jay (Bowman). Children even enjoyed pony rides on therapeutic ponies brought to us by Bella Rosa Riding Academy. The winners of our raffle went home with many fantastic gifts.
Special Thanks to all our community sponsors including; Mid-Atlantic Resource Group, Ocean First Foundation, Mr. Richard Osborne, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sheeser and Mr. Mike Cronin. Our thanks to LANCE, Inc. for supplying crackers and cookies. Many thanks to our terrific Photographer, Mr. Reinhard Kirchhof.
FRA CELEBRATES 30 YEARS of Service to the Community
Cheryl Gaudette, Nancy Phalanukorn
& Sue LevineSince 1979, FRA has been a resource of hope and service for families who include a member with a disAbility. FRA is proud of our history; and our three co-founders: Cheryl Gaudette, Susan Levine and Nancy Phalanukorn, are excited about the future of FRA as we expand our programs and services. Many celebrations are planned for families, friends and the community.
