POINT PLEASANT — Next Steps Adult Day program, located on Beaver Dam Road, hosted a gala over the weekend, raising monies for the program that helps adults with special needs.
The event took place on Saturday, June 14, at the Monmouth Clubhouse, 100 Oval Road in Wall Township. This is the clubhouse of The Monmouth Condominiums, which ordinarily does not rent the hall to outside organizations, however, one individual who lives in the condos is part of the Next Steps program.
Ticket sales generated approximately $15,000. After the event was set and done, which featured cocktails, DJ entertainment, live music, hors d’oeuvres, light dinner, 50/50 and silent auction, the program raised close to $22,000. This all went to transportation costs.
Jen Dyer, founder of the program, told The Ocean Star, “The purpose of our gala was to raise funds for appropriate transportation for our clients. We have doubled in size since we opened about a year ago, which means we need double the amount of vehicles we have currently. That was the focus of our gala.”
Approximately 150 tickets were sold, as members of the community and Next Steps community gathered to celebrate the program and the individuals who are part of it.
“It was a really great turnout. Most tickets were bought by family and friends of Next Steps clients, so it was really nice to see that their donations are going right back to the people they loved,” Dyer further said.
While the event was planned for outside, the weather did not cooperate, and the event was moved inside the venue hall.
Dyer added, “Separate funding like corporate sponsorships, private galas and fundraising events really help accommodate the lack of funding we get from the state.”
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