7th Annual Butterfly Ball to Benefit Children with Cancer

Guests will be transported back in time to enjoy all the fun and sounds of “The Fabulous Forties” at the 7th annual Butterfly Ball on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Spring Lake Golf Club in Spring Lake, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Visions of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin will adorn this fun-filled event, which will provide an opportunity for attendees to enjoy an evening of fine food, drink and entertainment all while raising funds for and increasing awareness of The Ashley Lauren Foundation’s (ALF) mission of providing Hope & Help for Children with Cancer in New Jersey.  The Ed Conte Orchestra will provide the music and guests will be able to bid on fun and unique auction items, as well as try their luck with the Mega 50/50 (tickets are available now).

Monica Vermeulen, ALF Founder/CEO stated, “This is an evening not to be missed.  We have many exciting things planned for the Ball.  The Butterfly Ball serves as our largest fundraiser of the year to raise money for the many, many children we assist throughout the State of New Jersey.  We are very happy to announce our 2018 Honorees.  Our honorees have been extremely instrumental in helping us with our mission.”

The Hope Award will be presented to Jeremy Grunin, who has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the private sector where he managed teams of 1000+ employees responsible for over half a billion dollars in revenue.  Since 2013, Jeremy has been actively engaged throughout the community as President of the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, a proactive grant maker focused on economic growth at the Central Jersey Shore. Jeremy is a Partner of Grunin Holdings, LLC., a New Jersey Partnership specializing in the development and management of commercial real estate, as well as investing in third party commercial ventures. In addition, Jeremy is the co-host of Topic A talk radio show every Sunday morning on 92.7 WOBM from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m.  Jeremy resides in Toms River with his wife, Laura, and three children, Joshua, Rebecca and Emma.

The Humanitarian Award will be presented to Joe Leone, who is the owner/operator of Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties, Catering, Gastronomia and Bakery in Point Pleasant Beach and Sea Girt. The love of food overflows into the community. Joe has become a well-known local humanitarian who doesn’t care for the spotlight on himself and tends to shift the spotlight to deserving organizations and places that need emergency action.  To name a few organizations that Joe is continuously sharing information and teaching others about are: L’Aquila Earthquake Relief Fund; One Strong Family mission; spreading the message of F.A.M.I.L.Y.® (Forget About Me I Love You); Common Ground Grief Center; Covenant House of New Jersey; Fulfill (formally Foodbank of Monmouth & Ocean County); and several local fundraising efforts. Proudly, Joe, the love of his life and their five children live in Brielle, and all play large supporting roles at both locations for Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties and Catering.

The Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to Lori Kirsch, who has been a dedicated volunteer for The Ashley Lauren Foundation for the past four years.  She had previously volunteered for the Cancer Concern Center in Point Pleasant Beach. Lori was involved in the fundraising efforts of The American Cancer Society and later chaired the Hope Lounge Event. She was on the committee for the Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Sweetheart Ball for many years and has volunteered at JSUMC K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital for the past seven years.  Lori and her husband Eric, who reside in Morganville, have received numerous awards for their support of Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

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 (Spring Party at the Boardwalk, Summerfest, Harvest Party, and Holiday Party); advocacy; “Making Dreams Come True” Program; Birthday Brigade (gifts, cake, balloons delivered personally to each child); special outings; hospital parties; holiday fifts for the children and anything else that is needed to make their lives easier and bring smiles to their faces.

For more details about the 7th annual Butterfly Ball, sponsorship and ad book opportunities, visit ashleylaurenfoundation.org or call The Ashley Lauren Foundation office at 732.414.1625.