Southern Monmouth Chamber to Honor 2013 Golden Osprey Award Winners
The Southern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce (SMCC) will be honoring its most outstanding citizens and businesses at the 28th Annual 2013 Golden Osprey Awards gala, Thursday, October 17, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Jumping Brook Country Club, 210 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune, N.J.
Tickets cost $75.00 each and include a one-hour open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, dessert and coffee. To register or for questions, call 732-280-8800. Ad journal ($75.00 to $400.00) and sponsorship ($250 to $1,500.00) opportunities are still available. The Jazz Syndicate will provide the music and All Is Sharp Photography is the official photographer.
The Golden Osprey Awards will recognize Optimum Health Chiropractic, Manasquan, and Mr. Shrimp Seafood, Belmar, for Business Excellence; Wall Township Education Association and Garrow Family Chiropractic for Outstanding Community Service; Dana Gangemi of WayComm Consulting and Allison Wilson of OceanFirst Bank for Outstanding Chamber Service; and Tyler Connellan of St. Rose High School, Belmar, and Jeremy Kuper of Manasquan High School for the Aspiring Youth Award, an award given to a student who excels in academics AND is involved in school and community service.
Evelyn Mars, executive director of the SMCC, said, “Our chamber is so honored to have people in our community who work selflessly to help others. They give and give from their hearts and they deserve to be recognized for their excellence in business, the chamber, and the community for their dedication to others.”
The sponsors of the 2013 Golden Osprey Awards to date include The UPS Store, Printing Sponsor; and OceanFirst Bank, Gold Sponsor.
Business Excellence Award for outstanding business practices and contributions to the community:
1. In the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy, Dr. Veera Gupta and her associate Dr. John Volpe of Optimum Health Chiropractic offered complimentary adjustments to anyone who had lost his or her home. The practice also donated $5,000.00 to the Belmar First Aid Squad. Dr. Veera Gupta, who opened this practice in 2007, volunteers in Bolivia and Honduras, donating chiropractic care to needy people there. She is the chiropractor for a semi-pro football team. This past August Dr. Gupta was the Medical Director for the Stand-Up Paddle around Manhattan and the Chiropractor for Surfer’s Healing.
2. Vincent Petruzziello, the owner/operator of Mr. Shrimp Seafood Restaurant and Market, Belmar, was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from Wall High School (’90). Petruzziello ardently supports charities that fund cancer research in memory of his former partner and friend Larry Leming. He also hosts and contributes to membership drives, general meetings, and chamber events for the Southern Monmouth and Belmar chambers.
Outstanding Community Service Award
1. The Wall Township Education Association (WTEA) is actively involved in the community, giving either financial assistance or personal help though numerous projects, such as Project Graduation, the Wall Fair, and the Wall PBA Pignic (sic). The WTEA held fundraisers and participated in local events to help Super Storm Sandy residents who suffered tremendous losses. WTEA members sold tee-shirts, held charity basketball games, and also joined in Camp Zehnder’s YMCA project to build a playground in a day
2. Dr. Tony Garrow, Wall H.S. (’91), is the owner of Garrow Family Chiropractic and the Jersey Shore Wellness Center, and the Massage Club of Wall. He co-founded the Jersey Shore Health Alliance, the Wall Township Chamber, and an annual blood drive. He holds many toy and food drives, donates free massages during times of crisis and for charitable events, and provides free care to any veterans from recent wars. He is most known for his participation with the Wall Township Alliance and for co-founding Kids Day America, Wall, an event that focuses on helping parents and children learn about health and safety, drug prevention, and environmental awareness in a fun and entertaining way.
Outstanding Chamber Service Award
1. Dana Gangemi, VP of WayComm Consulting, an independent technology consulting firm, Sea Girt, has been an active member of the SMCC since 2004, serving first on the membership committee; then treasurer (2007) and president (2008;2009) of the chamber board of directors; chair of the Ambassador’s Committee, and co-chair of Women in Business Council. Gangemi initiated annual softball game, new member welcome parties, the SMCC Coffee Connector, and designed the logo and marketing strategy for weekly events.
2. Allison Wilson, a Small Business Liaison Officer at OceanFirst Bank, Monmouth County, has served as secretary of the SMCC since 2009, having been a board member since 2008.She supports the Chamber, donating her time, gaining sponsorships for events, and being a strong presence at functions.
Aspiring Youth Award
1. Tyler Connellan, a senior at St. Rose High School, Belmar, initiated and developed programs called “Cheer Up with Make-Up and “Cheer Up with a Clean-Up” at Jersey Shore University Medical Center where she has volunteered since 2010. She visits the hospital’s pediatric unit as a volunteer and pampers little patients with manicures, makeup and freshening toiletries, cheering up hundreds of pediatric patients.
Tyler was inspired by her own experience in first grade when Tyler’s mom painted her nails, combed her hair, and pampered her after surgery and a stay at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In lieu of gifts at her “Sweet 16” party, Tyler requested donations of nail polish, lipstick, combs, mouthwash, toiletries and gift cards to start the program. She used these items to make goody bags and has distributed over 500 goody bags to date. Tyler’s programs “Cheer Up with Make-Up” and “Cheer Up with a Clean-Up” is now being adopted by Monmouth Medical Center with students from Red Bank High School.
Besides volunteering at the hospital and being a member of the Saint Rose Cheerleading and Competition teams, Tyler serves as a Saint Rose Ambassador, is a member of the Helping Hands Key Club, is a member of the Belrose Yearbook staff, serves as a homeroom representative, is a member of the art club, and is one of only ten seniors to be chosen as a Kairos leader.
Tyler was a first place Science Fair winner in Anatomy and Physiology, has received two Presidential Service Awards and was selected by the Sea Girt Woman’s Club to attend the Girls’ Career Institute this past June at Rutgers University.
2. Jeremy Kuper has worked hard all his life to overcome dyslexia and achieve the same academic levels as his classmates. He credits the Cub Scouts with first teaching him how to become a model citizen. At Manasquan High School (MHS), Jeremy is a member of six school organizations, including the Student Council, Environmental Club, Key Club, Drama Club, French Club, Squan-a-thon, soccer, and lacrosse. By his senior year, he was elected president of Student Council, president of Environment Club, captain of the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams. Having graduated with honors from MHS, he will attend The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), majoring in International Studies. At TCNJ, Jeremy will be a member of the Princeton University Army ROTC program, hoping to serve his country in the army as a surgeon.