Rosebud gala deemed a success

LADACIN Network held its 27th annual Rosebud Gala Dinner Dance, a "Celebration of Joy," on March 8 at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel. The gala raised nearly $184,000 to benefit the 2,500 infants, children and adults with developmental and multiple physical disabilities that LADACIN Network serves in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

According to a press release, the Rosebud Gala is the agency's premier annual fundraising event featuring dinner and dancing, an awards ceremony, gift auction, raffles and a floral centerpiece contest. Music was provided by Channel Three Music. Carl Craft, cohost of 95.9 WRAT-FM's "Morning RAT Race," was master of ceremonies.

Barbara Ryll, West Creek, LADACIN Network board president, Doug Sjonvall, Director of Marketing and Promotions, Greater Media New Jersey - 95.9 WRAT-FM and 100.1 WJRZ-FM, and Marlene Bell, Marlboro, friend and supporter of the agency, co-chaired the event.

The gala honored Lowy's Moving Service, Neptune, as its 2008 Corporate Honoree. CEO Stephan Lowy is a board member and longtime friend of the agency.

Ginger Peters, a former client and employee, was recognized for her lifetime of service to the agency and to people with disabilities. As a further tribute to Peters' service, this award will become the Ginger Peters Lifetime Achievement Award, to be given to those who have devoted their lives to benefit people with disabilities.

Humanitarian honorees were Kevin Shulman, founder of Shulman and Associates, Iselin, and the Monmouth County Career Center horticulture program, Freehold. Kevin Shulman climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro in August 2007 as a fundraiser for the agency. The Monmouth County Career Center horticulture program has for several years participated in the gala's floral centerpiece contest by creating centerpieces, corsages, boutonnieres and even dethorning hundreds of donated roses.

This year, 29 florists from Monmouth and Ocean counties participated in the floral centerpiece contest and gala attendees selected the winners. Foggia Florist, Oceanport, took first place honors and won a $2,500 radio advertising package donated by Greater Media New Jersey. The Towne Florist, Oakhurst, placed second and Craig P. Kiely Fine Flowers and Events, Red Bank, placed third.

The Rosebud Gala auction featured a $5,000 diamond necklace donated by Marlboro Diamond Castle, Marlboro; a $20,000 gift certificate and a 42-inch plasma HDTV from Gabowitz TV and Appliance Company, East Brunswick; and a platinum and diamond pendant, donated by Tiffany & Co., Red Bank.

Leading the event's underwriting efforts were LADACIN Network's Corporate Benefactors, CWR Electronics Inc. and Gabowitz TV and Appliance Company; as well as Corporate Guardian Sponsors, Atlantic Rentals and Sales Inc., Commerce Bank and New Jersey Natural Gas Company, Platinum Guardian Sponsors; International Flavors and Fragrances Inc., Diamond Guardian Sponsor; and GM Ford Diagnostics and Repair, Greater Media New Jersey - 95.9 WRAT-FM and 100.1 WJRZ-FM, Mutual of America, Ocean- First Bank/OceanFirst Foundation, Robertet Inc. and U.S.A. Container Co. Inc., Gold Guardian Sponsors.