On February 25, 2017, over 350 guests gathered at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa to enjoy The Ashley Lauren Foundation’s much anticipated 6th Annual Butterfly Ball “DANCING FOR OUR STARS” and raise funding and awareness for children suffering from cancer. Investors Bank was this year’s honoree.

Monica Vermeulen, Founder/CEO stated, “We are so grateful to all of our sponsors, auction donors, entertainers and guests for their incredible support. Our new and exciting dance competition was enjoyed by everyone in attendance. We are so grateful to our dancers who worked many hours rehearsing and raising funds for our Ashley Lauren kids. The dancers put on an amazing performance. Our dancers included Carol Stillwell, President/CEO of Stillwell-Hansen Inc. who did a beautiful waltz which transitioned into rock and roll with Joe Hasson of Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Red Bank.; Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders Deputy Director Serena DiMaso who did an amazing salsa with Andre Gosselin also from Fred Astaire; Monmouth County Freeholder Tom Arnone performed a high energy and exciting disco with Ashley Lauren Vermeulen and Tom Corley President/CPA of Cerefice & Co. and published author who did a fun hip-hop dance with Ashley Lauren Vermeulen. The winner of both the People’s Choice Award and the Judge’s Award was Carol Stillwell. We are also very grateful to our judges, Joe Leone, Tom Hayes, Anthony LaGruth and Ron Wollner.”

Butterfly Ball Committee
PHOTO: Butterfly Ball Committee: Tom Corley, Jennifer Quaranta, Carrie McNally, Carolyn Walker, Nancy Wendt, Ashley Lauren Vermeulen, Monica Vermeulen, Carolyn Burtnick, Kathy Buffum, Lori Kirsch and Jim Buffum | CREDIT: Eric Vitale Photography

The goal of The Ashley Lauren Foundation is to ease the journey when pediatric cancer is diagnosed by providing direct financial assistance (household bills, medications not paid through medical insurance, traveling expenses to and from hospitals, funeral expenses, etc.); material assistance (food, clothing, household items); emotional support (for the entire family); seasonal parties for the children and their families; advocacy; “Making Dreams Come True” Program; Birthday Brigade (gifts, cake, balloons delivered personally to each child); special outings; hospital parties; holiday gifts for the children and anything else that is needed to make their lives easier and bring smiles to their faces.

For more information about how you can get involved with The Ashley Lauren Foundation, visit ashleylaurenfoundation.org.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and Lou Russo of 94.3 The Point’s Lou & Liz In The Morning
PHOTO: Butterfly Ball Committee: Tom Corley, Jennifer Quaranta, Carrie McNally, Carolyn Walker, Nancy Wendt, Ashley Lauren Vermeulen, Monica Vermeulen, Carolyn Burtnick, Kathy Buffum, Lori Kirsch and Jim Buffum | CREDIT: Eric Vitale Photography
Bella Introna, Joe Leone, Tom Arnone
PHOTO: Left to right: Bella Introna, Joe Leone, Tom Arnone CREDIT: Eric Vitale Photography
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