Charity gala announces beneficiaries
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

MILLSTONE - Grab a mini dress or a leisure suit, put on some platform shoes and get ready to disco.

The seventh annual Millstone Charity Gala, slated for the evening of Oct. 13 at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, is going to be "Oh, What a Night." The party, which raises funds for community endeavors each year, is going to have a '70s theme this time around. No, dance-floor garb is not a requirement, but the hits of that era will play throughout the night.

"It should be a lot of fun," Gala Committee member Betsy Cotter said. "There's a lot of dance music from that era."

The evening will also include dinner, cocktails and a silent auction with prizes such as a gourmet grill from H&H Gas in Windsor and a liquid crystal display (LCD) high-definition television.

"The community sponsors and organizes this event, which benefits various groups in the community that make Millstone better for everyone," Cotter said.

The gala gets bigger and better every year, thanks to community sponsors and support, Cotter said. Last year, the gala boasted 450 people in attendance and netted almost $50,000 to contribute to the Millstone Trailblazers, the John W. Petrella Jr. Scholarship Fund and the Lacrosse Booster Club.

This year, according to Cotter, the charity gala will benefit Millstone United Travel Soccer (MUTS), the Millstone Township Volunteer First Aid Squad and Millstone Eagles Pop Warner.

The MUTS has been in existence since the mid-1990s and is a member of the Monmouth-Ocean Soccer Association (MOSA). The club consists of boys' and girls' teams ranging in age from 8 years old to under 17. The teams play at various levels in MOSA, New Jersey Youth Soccer and Jersey Coast Youth Soccer.

The first aid squad has existed in the township for more than 50 years and is staffed strictly by volunteers from the community. The squad provides residents with emergency medical services around the clock.

The Millstone Eagles offers football and cheerleading opportunities to community youths ages 5-15. The organization aims to teach children the values of teamwork and good sportsmanship with practice and games that run from August through October or November.

The eight-member Gala Committee announced the beneficiaries of this year's gala at an event held Aug. 4 at the Baldachino family's residence in Millstone.

"It was really a great success on Saturday," Cotter said. "It was a nice event that was well attended."

The pre-gala event was catered by Spargo's Grille in Manalapan, Cotter added.

In an effort to collect the most money it can for the beneficiaries, the committee relies on the community and is looking for sponsors, individuals and businesses that wish to contribute prizes, and locals who would like to purchase program advertisements. Cotter said the committee is also always looking for volunteers to help organize and set up the event.

For more information about the gala or how to help with the charity event, call Chairman Gary Mangino, (609) 918-0305.