The Pink Ribbon Gala Committee pose for a photo in City Hall Circle
*File Photo by Paul W. Wang

In late July, I received a phone call from the City Clerk, Elaine Jasko who asked if I would like to be part of the committee for the Pink Ribbon Gala that was to be held on Oct. 10, 2015. I answered “Yes” and our official first meeting was held on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. We met frequently leading up to the week of the event. First of all, it was an honor to be on this committee which mostly consisted of women and a few good men. You have to understand that October is a very tough month to hold a gala because the competition was very stiff with events that have been held in that month for many years. We were the “Little Engine that Could.”

The Pink Ribbon Gala was to benefit a non-profit organization called Mary’s Place by the Sea in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. They are also an organization that is the “Little Engine that Could.” Elaine M. Jasko was the committee Chair and Raquel Roche was the treasurer. Elaine is a cancer survivor along with a couple of other members that were on our team. We were fortunate to have on our committee Junel Hutchinson (herself a cancer survivor) and Diane Riporti (both from Alameda Health Care) to give us valuable guidance. They ran a Shades of Pink Gala (Also benefitting Mary’s Place by the Sea) two years ago.

On the committee there were 11 women and 2 men, but as with any group, especially when you are doing an event for the first time, donations are very important. A special thanks to Enrique Hernandez (Owner of Petra Best Realty) for the printing cost of the posters and postcards. It’s important that the word gets out very quickly and Enrique has stepped up to the plate many times for worthwhile causes. As on any committee, everyone was able give their input and were able to discuss what was the most viable for the short period of time that we had to put this event together. The ticket sales were slow and we began to worry that we wouldn’t have enough support to make this event to be as successful as we wanted it to be, but boy – did we underestimate the power of the people in Perth Amboy. The week of the event people were coming in constantly to purchase tickets as well as the night of the event.

On October 10, 2015 a miracle occurred due to our dynamic Emcee Master of Ceremonies, Robert Durso (A Realtor from JJ Elek). He decided to challenge those present that night to pledge funds to Mary’s Place to help defray the cost of women who would like to go there to help in the healing process while undergoing cancer treatments. Durso started off by making a pledge and then all of a sudden others started shouting out amounts that they wanted to contribute. After the smoke settled, an additional $8,000 was raised that night.  Some of those pledges came in not only from small business owners but from business owners that are well known in the City and have been scrutinized during Council Meetings.

I know people who contribute and attend dinners to support the candidates of their choice and some of those ticket prices have been high. A few years later, that candidate that you supported may turn out to disappoint you. I only wish that some of those people would take that money and support a sure thing such as Mary’s Place by the Sea. They will not disappoint you. The money you give to Mary’s Place may provide services that someone you know will use.

Mary’s Place by the Sea was the brainchild of Michele Gannon who was soon joined by Maria McKeon. They are in a fundraising race: Revlon’s Love is on Million Dollar Challenge. The organization that raises the most donations for their cause, between September 21st at 12 p.m. ET and Ocotber 29th at 1:59:59 p.m. ET, will win an additional ONE MILLION DOLLAR donation  from Revlon for their cause Their runner-up will receive $250,000 and there will also be weekly bonus challenges totaling up to an additional $150,000. Here’s the kicker: At the last count, they were in third place. Some competitors included the giant corporation (Sloan Kettering) hospital. You have to admire the dedication of these women and volunteers who are able to compete with such powerhouses who have many resources to draw from. Kudos to Mary’s Place and anyone who would like to contribute to help them win first place should go to their website www.marysplacebythesea.org.

It was an honor to work with the individuals listed below who were responsible for making the Pink Ribbon Gala a success: Elaine M. Jasko, Chair; Raquel Roche, Treasurer; Vicki Caraballo, Randy Convery, Junel Hutchinson, Ken Ortiz, Maria Pineiro, Diane Riporti, Roxanna Troche, Patty Valencia, Idania Vazquez, Tashilee Vazquez. Special thanks to Angel Robledo, Lourdes Ruiz and Paul Wang.

To all of the businesses  who posted the event on their windows, I thank you for your cooperation as  well as those who purchased tickets from me. I hope those who were not able to attend will be able to do so next year. Everyone’s donations of their time and services was greatly appreciated.

Mark your calendars for next year’s Pink Ribbon Gala which will also be held in October. Date TBD. We hope to have an even bigger turnout. Place your bets on a sure thing.

C.M.