Free Family Fun Night was a resounding success, bringing families together for an evening of entertainment, engagement, and community building. Attendees of all ages enjoyed an interactive game, which sparked laughter, discussion, and excitement.
A special shout-out goes to Samantha Rivera, one of our dedicated Ocean County College (OCC) interns from the school’s social work program, for going the extra mile to help make the event inclusive and comfortable for all. Alongside fellow intern Alexis, these two did an outstanding job managing the event—thinking on their feet, engaging families, and ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees. Their dedication to fostering a welcoming environment did not go unnoticed.
Adding to the spirit of unity, they also created “Choose Love. Celebrate Life.” T-shirts for team members, featuring designations such as Junior Leadership Council, Leadership Team, and Intern, further solidifying a sense of pride and belonging in our organization.
Our Junior Leadership Council (JLC) was also instrumental in the evening’s success. Special thanks to Nadira, who brought a friend, helped pick up food, engaged with families in the interactive murder mystery game, and assisted with cleanup.
The generosity of our supporters was on full display at the donation table, which was stocked with useful supplies for families, including backpacks, school and art supplies, clothing, blankets, and board games. We extend our gratitude to our Board Co-Secretary, Lauren, and Advisory Council Human Resources Manager, Daria, for their contributions, ensuring that families in need have access to essential items.
A special thank-you to Toms River Diner for their generous donation of a full tray of chicken fingers, chicken wings, and mozzarella sticks—an absolute hit among attendees! This donation was secured by Alexis Zecena, our second OCC intern, whose efforts helped provide delicious food for the event. Additionally, we greatly appreciate Board Treasurer, Kelsey, for her donation of soda, juice, and water, ensuring that everyone stayed refreshed throughout the evening.
We are also grateful to those who attended on short notice, including Advisory Council member Catherine Christopher and Board Co-Secretary Lisa Scala. Your presence and support mean so much to our growing community.
This event would not have been possible without the dedication, time, and effort of our volunteers and supporters. As we continue to build momentum, we encourage everyone to spread the word about our mission. We need more donations to sustain our impact—so far, we have only received two year-to-date.
Please follow us on social media, share our message, and help us continue fostering a strong, united community.
Together, we will create change. Together, we will elevate community needs and bring people together to meet them.
