There was no sitting and staying at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on Saturday June 4th, but plenty of “Rocking and Rolling Over” at the Monmouth County SPCA Black Tie Ball. The evening raised over $70,000 for the homeless animals of the MCSPCA Homeward Bound Adoption Center and an additional $37,910 came from the 50/50 raffle that was drawn on Monday June 6, 2011 at the Eatontown facility.
This black tie optional event was definitely a breed apart from your normal fundraiser as Convention Hall was transformed into one of the hippest lounges in town. The event featured two musical acts, Nicky Addeo and The Nite Owls Band and Vocal Group, and the asAp Band with Special Guest and evening honoree Lance Larson. The concert-like atmosphere kept the crowd on their feet most of the night except when taking a break to enjoy the gourmet food provided by Mumford’s Culinary Center of Tinton Falls. The affair also touted a choice of four signature cocktails named after the event’s biggest sponsors, the 33 East Car Bomb named after the 33 East Car Wash, the Madison Marquettini, for Madison Marquette, the Modern Salty Dog, after Modern Dog Magazine and the Saker ShopRite Shaker, after the Saker Shop Rites.
The Rock & Roll Over Black Tie Ball presented the MCSPCA Three Wags Awards, donated by Final Cut, to four of Asbury’s finest: Irene & Gary Mottola of Madison Marquette, and Debbie DeLisa & Lance Larson of the Wonder Bar. This was a celebration of the work that these four friends along with the MCSPCA started with the Asbury Park Boardwalk TNR Project where almost 75 cats that were living under the boardwalk were spayed or neutered, vaccinated and returned to caretaker colonies. The MCSPCA is in the process of finishing the project now and so far, no kittens have been born under the Boardwalk this year. “This evening was a great success as old friends joined new supporters in celebrating the mission of the MCSPCA, an organization that has been serving the needs of animals in Monmouth County for over 45 years. I think it was particularly appropriate that we held our event in Asbury Park to highlight our TNR Program being done there in addition to the many private animal friendly initiatives that have been launched in this community,” commented MCSPCA Board of Trustee’s President, Jerry Rosenthal.
Serving as honorary co-chairs for the event were renowned dog trainer and host of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog, Victoria Stilwell and Dr. Anthony DeCarlo of Red Bank Animal Hospital. Stilwell appeared via a videotaped message and talked about supporting the Monmouth County SPCA on their mission to save lives. Dr. DeCarlo’s continuing support of the MCSPCA Asbury Park TNR project has been instrumental in the program’s success, which made him the perfect candidate to introduce the four honorees. Laurie Garrison, MCSPCA Executive Director also presented Dr. DeCarlo with a small token of appreciation for all of the support that he and the staff of the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital have provided the homeless animals over the years. “It is impossible to convey our gratitude to Dr. DeCarlo and all the veterinarians and vet techs at RBVH. Dr. DeCarlo has been a very supportive partner to the MCSPCA for years now, and RBVH vets and techs volunteered their time to our TNR program. We are so thankful to have the support of amazing people like Dr. DeCarlo, his vets and techs, Gary, Irene, Debbie and Lance, as well as everyone who attended this event. The generosity and kindness of our community make it possible for the MCSPCA to save thousands of lives every year. Thank you everyone!” said Laurie Garrison, MCSPCA Executive Director.
The real excitement of the night came when emcee’s 95.9 The Rat’s Jimmy Steal and radio personality Jen Ursillo took to the stage for the live auction. These first-time auctioneers got the crowd going with an Asbury Park Boardwalk Package, a family fun day including a pizza party, mini-golf, a behind the scenes tour of Convention Hall and more was donated by Gary Mottola of Madison Marquette. From there the auction just kept getting hotter with a four pack of VIP tickets to Southside Johnny at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, also courtesy of Gary Mottola of Madison Marquette, Wine & Dine dinner for eight at Salt Creek Grille in Rumson, donated by Steve Bidgood of Salt Creek Grille and selling for, FORE! a round of golf and lunch for four at the Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck, this day on the green was donated by Trump National Golf Club in Colts Neck.
Saving the best for last was an item known as Born in the SPCA, a one-of-a-kind guitar, signed “Stop Animal Abuse” and autographed by Bruce Springsteen! This priceless donation came courtesy of Bruce Springsteen and one of the evening’s honorees, Debbie DeLisa of the Wonder Bar. The bidding hit a complete frenzy as there was a war waging between Glen Axelrod, President of TFH Publications and Mark Rubin President and CEO of Electro Impulse Laboratory. These two Neptune business men were meeting each other’s bids back and forth with the rest of the guests in the room getting swept up in the action. Finally Jen Ursillo uttered the words, “going once, going twice and sold with the winning bid of $8,000” coming from Mark Rubin.
While the party had ended, inside things were just getting started outside at the Cat’s Pajamas Post Party held at Convention Hall’s Beach Bar. The “pajamas optional” night continued with a private fireworks show, beach bonfire, late night bites and plenty of fun that continued into the early morning hours as screams of, “Can’t wait for next year’s ball” could be heard!
Check out pictures of the event here thanks to Kim Levin, Victor Bubadias, Natalie Markova and Freddy Clark.
