50th Anniversary of Monmouth Day Care Center Raises Money and Honors Its Past
Monmouth Day Care Center (MDCC) recently honored its 50-year legacy while raising critically needed funds for the future at its 50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration at the Navesink Country Club, 50 Luffburrow Lane, Middletown, NJ 07748.
The honorees were Monmouth Park Charity Fund, who has included MDCC in its grant distribution since almost the beginning, and United Methodist Church of Red Bank, the first home for MDCC when it opened in 1969.
MDCC alumni ranging in ages five to those in their early 20’s greeted past presidents of MDCC, Assemblymen Houghtaling and Downey, Red Bank Councilman Hazim Yassin, and Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli, also a past president to MDCC, among other guests and supporters.
Through the generous donations of sponsors and attendees, the Jubilee raised funds for the day-to-day operation of the Center, including its scholarship program which greatly benefits families who cannot afford a quality early child care program.
Heidi Zaentz, executive director of MDCC, said, “Our 50th Anniversary event was an amazing evening. We had supporters fly in from across the country to celebrate this milestone with us and it was wonderful to reconnect with so many faces. I was listening to stories of the days when they were meeting in kitchens to discuss the opening of the center: Stories of volunteers going above and beyond for the children at the center; stories of our Handi-Care Program that we used to offer before special education programs were in place. It is truly amazing to hear how far we have come in 50 years and how much we have done for the community. It warms my heart to be a part of this amazing center and I look forward to seeing what more we can do for our families and our community.”
For more information about MDCC, call 732-741-4313. To make donations that benefit Monmouth Day Care Center programs, students, and families, visit www.monmouthdaycare.com or contact Amy Thomas at athomas@monmouthdaycare.com.
Photo Captions:
#1 Heidi Zaentz, Exec Dir MDCC, and Lanae Herman , MDCC Board President
#2 Members of the Junior League of Monmouth County
#3 Dodi Allocca, Francoise Lucarelli ,Thea Lucarelli (Founding Member and Past Pres.), Paula Jordan, Fair Haven Mayor and Past President Ben Lucarelli
#4 Two River Community Bank Supporters
#5 Suzanne Dice, founder of the Backpack Crew, and Pastor Jessica Naulty of United Methodist Church of Red Bank
Accepting Award
#6 MDCC Past Presidents: Heidi Zaentz, Executive Director, Dolores Feinswog, Lanae Herman, Marie Knapp, Thea Lucarelli, Sid Shelton, Linda Friedman, Ben Lucarelli, Debbie Iapicco, Elizabeth Goss, Teresa Jahns, Jennifer Anderson, Debbie Schluter, June Seligman
About Monmouth Day Care Center: Monmouth Day Care Center, a nonprofit licensed by the State of New Jersey, is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., has eight classrooms; two playgrounds; a multi-purpose room that also serves as an indoor gym; a library; and provides breakfast, lunch and snacks. Children from two months to five years old, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, who come from families with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can attend full- or part-time. Contracts for tuition are maintained with the Division of Family Development, including Work First New Jersey Program and New Jersey Cares for Kids.
Monmouth Day Care Center serves families with diverse socio-economic backgrounds from more than 25 local communities. MDDC offers scholarships and fees on a sliding scale for families who qualify. Families who do not qualify for government support but cannot afford the full cost of care receive tuition assistance based on a sliding scale fee due to substantial community fundraising efforts of the Board. Call 732-741-4313 with questions or for more information.