By DENISE HERSCHEL
Looking for a good time for a good cause? Then mark the date on your calendar to attend the Asbury Park Mayor’s Rock and Roll for Recreation event Thurs., April 28 from 6 to 10 p.m.at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. All of the proceeds from the evening will benefit the Asbury Park Summer Recreation Program, a six-week camp offered in conjunction with the Asbury Park Board of Education.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $85 and will include a buffet dinner, a one-hour open bar, a silent gift auction and live music which will feature a performance by Shorty Long and special guest appearances.
According to the city’s website, this year’s fundraiser is “a high-energy update of the famed Rodeo for Recreation which has raised over $100,000 in funding for the Asbury Park Summer Recreation Program since 2016.”
“After having to reschedule the Rodeo several times due to Covid-19, we knew that we would have to do something extra special. We are looking forward to the Rock and Roll for Recreation at the legendary Stone Pony,” Asbury Park Mayor John Moor said.
He said that due to the popularity and expense of the Asbury Park Summer Recreation Program, in 2015, 50 children had to be turned away from the camp program.
“I knew I had to do whatever it took to make sure that never happened again and the next year the Mayor’s Rodeo for Recreation fundraiser was born. We are incredibly grateful to the community and our sponsors for their generous support of this incredible program,” he said. “Thanks to them, I am proud to say we have never had to turn away anyone since.”
The Asbury Park Summer Recreation Program offers children breakfast and lunch, educational morning sessions and fun afternoons including supervised trips to the Liberty Science Center, Medieval Times, SkyZone and Asbury Park beaches. The program also hires older youth as junior counselors, providing them with summer employment.
Top tier sponsors to date include: The Asbury Hotel, AP Toy Drive, Jersey Shore Running Club, the Stone Pony, Chamber of Commerce, Sackman Enterprises, RentAsburyPark, Pepsi, Madison Marquette, Light of Day Foundation, Home Drug Store, Breakwater, NJ Natural Gas, First Atlantic, First Energy, SeaHearNow, Ansell, Grimm and Aaron, Kiuitt, Delisa, Millennium and The Coaster. Sponsorships for the event are still available.
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours of the event will be required for entry. To purchase tickets go to www.cityofasburypark.com/tickets. For sponsorships, contact event organizers Leesha Floyd at 732-502-5759 or Cassandra Dickerson at 732- 502- 5753.
