Our honorees have shown a commitment to ensuring help is there for people when they need it most.
The American Red Cross New Jersey Region honored exceptional members of the community during its 34th Annual Red, White and Bling fundraising gala on the evening of Saturday, March 18 at the Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in Farmingdale.
Honorees included the Bonfiglio family of Tommy’s Tavern and Tap and Allyson Gilbert, both of whom are recipients of the Clara Barton Community Humanitarian Award, and HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals of Tinton Falls and Toms River, recipient of the Clara Barton Corporate Humanitarian Award.
“It is with great pleasure that we recognized outstanding members of our community whose extraordinary service has been instrumental in helping to fulfil the Red Cross mission in New Jersey,” said Ana Montero, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “Our honorees have each demonstrated a commitment to ensuring help is there for people when they need it most.”
Longtime supporters of the Red Cross, the Bonfiglio family is passionate about helping serve the communities of Monmouth and Ocean counties. To help ensure lifesaving blood is available to patients in need, Tommy and Yvette Bonfiglio have hosted numerous successful blood drives. Leading by example, Yvette Bonfiglio has rolled up her sleeve to donate blood during several of their drives. The Bonfiglio family is also an avid supporter of disaster relief, donating their time and resources to help the Red Cross be ready to respond to help families devastated by disasters big and small.
Since joining the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Board of Directors six years ago, Allyson Gilbert of Shrewsbury has been a devoted ambassador of the Red Cross mission. During her three-year tenure as chair of the Board of Directors Gilbert has created eight committees that, under her leadership, focus on helping to achieve the organization’s short- and long-term mission-driven goals. Gilbert has also served on a number of special events committees, including the Jersey Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament.
For more than 15 years, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals of Tinton Falls and Toms River has lent its support to help ensure Red Cross programs and services were available to its community in times of need. In addition to being a proud financial supporter, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals of Tinton Falls and Toms River employees have a longstanding history of serving on the Red Cross Board of Directors and special event committees and have welcomed Red Cross representatives to serve on its Community Advisory Committees. In alignment with their mission of helping patients restore strength and resume activities of daily living, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals of Tinton Falls and Toms River has hosted numerous Red Cross blood drives at both of its locations to help ensure lifesaving blood products are available for patients in need.
Proceeds from the Red, White and Bling Gala benefit Red Cross programs and services, including disaster relief for families affected by local disasters such as home fires. Last year, the American Red Cross New Jersey Region responded to more than 760 local disasters, mostly home fires, to provide comfort and emergency assistance for temporary lodging, food and clothing as needed to more than 1,800 families.
Red White and Bling Committee Chairs Walter Hopkin and John Weiss, along with the Red Cross, are thankful for the support of sponsors, including Sapphire Sponsor HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospitals of Tinton Falls and Toms River; Emerald Sponsors Alston & Bird, Grunin Foundation, Meridian Health and Monmouth Medical Center/RWJ Barnabas Health; Garnet Sponsors CentraState Healthcare, Davison Easton and Munoz, New Jersey Natural Gas, and Tommy’s Tavern and Tap; Dancing Sponsor Provident Bank; Cocktail Sponsor BP Print Group; Kick-Off Party Sponsor Pine Belt Chevrolet; and Entertainment Sponsor The County Woman.
