The Center in Asbury Park: 806 Third Avenue Asbury Park, NJ 07712 • 732-774-3416

January 2012

Happy New Year! Before I share some news about the New Year, I’d like to let you know that 2011 ended well. December First we celebrated World AIDS Day with a candle light walk and memorial service at Trinity Church. The service was lovely and it was a nice way to remember those who have made their transition from complications due to the HIV/AIDS virus.

With the help of friends and volunteers, Father Bob somehow managed to find 550 Christmas Gifts for our clients of The Center and our residents of Center House. Every client of The Center received a gift. The generosity of folks shopping and donating gifts was overwhelming. It is such a GREAT thing to see happen, especially during what might otherwise be a very difficult time/season for most of our clients and residents.

We moved a new resident into Center House on December 22, 2011. Just two days before Christmas it was a joy to see someone move out of a shelter and into their own lovely apartment. The apartment was staged with all new linens and things, including pots, pans, dishes, flatware, towels, etc., etc. Now a deserving former homeless resident has the perfect opportunity to start a new life with the support of Center House Staff and caring volunteers of The Center.

Pat Sherman of Fedding Frenz and Marilyn Schlossbach of Langosta Lounge hosted a community dinner on Christmas Day. Nearly 2,000 lonely and hungry folks were gifted a Christmas Feast! Santa came with gifts for the children and others donated clothes, pantry and hygiene items for those who attended the Christmas Day Event! It is encouraging to know that others in the community care about those we serve and host special events on major holidays.

The calendar for 2012 is filling up fast. We have two events in 2012 that will celebrate the 20^th. Anniversary of The Center. Sunday, June 10, 2012 the hospitality committee will host an event at Center House and on Friday, October 26, 2012 at the English Manor, Father Bob will be honored with a gala affair. Mark your calendar now and please come join us in these celebrations.

The New Jersey AIDS Walk will take place on Sunday, May 6, 2012. The Center will join six other HIV/AIDS state agencies for a state wide effort to raise funds and bring valuable awareness to the continuing AIDS crisis. You can become of sponsor of someone who will walk for others, form your own team to support those living with HIV/AIDS or contact your business or company to be a corporate sponsor. Musical Legend Gloria Gaynor has agreed to be this year’s spokesperson and it will be awesome to have her use her celebrity talent for such a worthy cause.

On a date yet to be announced: Center a la Carte will bring 500 VIP guests together, featuring 20 local restaurants serving their favorite dishes and 15 local liquor vendors pouring their signature libations. Look for this date to be announced soon and for GOSH sake, do not miss this annual fun fundraising party!

ALL my BEST! My wish if for you to have a healthy and happy 2012, not only for you but especially yours!

Clark Shannon, Director of Operations, The Center in Asbury Park
cshannon@thecenterinap.com or 732 – 774 – 3416 x 21

October/November 2011

September ended with the 10^th. Anniversary New Jersey Ride Against AIDS Weekend Fundraiser. Over 25 Cyclist and more than 35 crew members peddled 250 in 3 days and gave 100% of funds raised to nine HIV/AIDS Charities.

In the past ten years this group of dedicated volunteers has raised over 500,000 dollars for HIV/AIDS charities. Pat Sherman and her trusty crew work all year long to make this wonderfully inspiring event happen each year.

In October The Center volunteers partnered with the New Jersey Road Runners Club for their relay marathon in Asbury Park. Father Bob provided 24 volunteers for this two day event and in return this worthy charity donated a check to The Center to help those living with HIV/AIDS!

November is here and this weekend will bring a thankful group of volunteers together to make 350 Thanksgiving Baskets for the clients of The Center and the residents of Center House. It is a GREAT experience to work alongside of those committed to making this Holiday Season better for those less fortunate.

If you’d like to help, drop by on Saturday, November 19, 2011 between 10 AM and 12 PM. You can bring a frozen turkey to donate to the cause or bring non-perishable food to trim someone’s Thanksgiving Table.

December is just a few weeks away and already Father Bob has request for 550 gifts for Christmas presents for our clients and residents. It is the least we can do to give one gift to those who’ll do without so much more this joyous season. If you’d like to give a gift or donate some of your time this Holiday Season, please contact us here at The Center. 732 – 774 – 3416 x 21

ALL my BEST! Clark Shannon, Director of Operations

September 2011

30 Deeds in 30 Days!

This fall, Matt Ryan, DJ for 94.3 The Point, will feature The Center in his 30 Days Campaign, '30 Deeds in 30 Days'.

Father Bob and Matt Ryan are currently setting up the day and assignment for Matt's Volunteer Commitment Campaign here at The Center.

The Center in Asbury Park congratulations 94.3 The Point on their commitment to visit 30 local charities in 30 days. This is a very compelling positive action campaign. Matt Ryan and The Point's Music Staff are to be commended for their effort to volunteer their personal time and highlight 30 worthy local charities in both Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

This is an excellent opportunity for 94.3 The Point, Jersey Shore's Hit Music Channel to be involved with their local community. Listen to 94.3 every day from 3 PM - 8 PM, to hear Matt Ryan describe his personal volunteer experiences.

We know that Matt's volunteer time and experience here at The Center, will be HEART felt! It is very commendable that 94.3 The Point is taking their valuable time to help The Center provide social services and bring awareness to those who are living with HIV/AIDS.

If you would like to volunteer your time, services or make other financial contributions to The Center, please contact: Colleen Volpe, Coordinator of Volunteers or Father Bob Kaeding, Executive Director at The Center: 732 - 774 - 3416.

If you have questions or comments, please contact Clark Shannon: cshannon@thecenterinap.com

or visit us on the web: www.thecenterinap.com

ALL my BEST

Clark Shannon

Director of Operations

August 2011

The New Jersey Ride Against AIDS will mark its 10th. Anniversary this September 23rd. through September 25th. with a 3 Day, 250 Mile, 100% to Charity Fundraising Charity Cycle Event.

The Ride starts at the top to the State of New Jersey in Highpoint and continues the entire length of the state; ending in Cape May. 50 cyclists have all pledged to raise at least $1,500 each to be donated 100% to nine New Jersey HIV/AIDS charity foundations.

The Center in Asbury Park is pleased to be one of the founding beneficiaries of this committed group of volunteers. For the past decade the New Jersey Ride Against AIDS has dedicated themselves to making a difference in the World where we live and work.

Several Residents of Center House and several Staff and Volunteers from The Center will crew the event to support those who are helping to make AIDS History! It is heart warming, as well as encouraging, witnessing first hand the dedication of these cyclists who are doing so much to improve the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS.

If you would like to make a contribution to this event, you can contact The Center at 732 – 774 – 3416 or check out The Center www.thecenterinap.com or visit www.NJRideAgainstAIDS.com for more details.

As always if you have questions, comments or concerns please contact: Clark Shannon, Director of Operations, 732-774-3416 x 21.

ALL my BEST!

Clark Shannon

July 2011

The summer is racing by. We are already looking forward to the official end of summer with the Fireworks Fundraiser at the home of Bob and Gen Hickey in Oceanport, New Jersey. If you’d like a front row, dock seat to this annual event; the Hickey home on Blackberry Bay has the MOST perfect view.

You can purchase your tickets on line at www.thecenterinap.com or call 732 – 774 – 3416 for more details. Please don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to support The Center; this particular event benefits the residents of Center House.

Speaking of Center House, We are currently renovating an apartment and by end of summer we will welcome another new resident. If you would like to make a contribution to welcome this new resident to their new home ~ you could help us by donating a TARGET gift card.

It cost approximately Three Hundred Fifty Dollars to stage an apartment with all new bed linens – new towels – new dishes –new flat ware and new pots and pans. Please contact Father Bob Kaeding or Clark Shannon at 732 – 774 – 3416 for details on how you can help welcome our newest resident and make their new apartment a welcoming home. Your TARGET gift card donation can also be sent to The Center in care of Father Bob.

If you have questions, comments or concerns, please contact any of our staff at The Center. You are always welcome to stop by for a tour or a visit. Your support today, helps someone with the HIV/AIDS virus and it will MOST definitely improve the quality of their life. A BIG part of the mission of The Center is to not only provide a safe place for folks to get well, but to stay well!

ALL my BEST!

Clark Shannon

Director of Operations

The Center in Asbury Park

June 2011

The summer has not officially started but The Center is already busy with lots of summer like activities!

On Sunday, June 4, 2011 The Center sponsored a booth at the Pride Festival in Asbury Park. Volunteers and staff manned the booth and passed out brochures about Center Services for both The Center and Center House. It was a beautiful weather day, not too hot, not too cool; Lots of the community stopped by to make cash donations or purchase a brick for our Center Courtyard Program.

On Sunday, June 12, 2011 Father Bob and the Board of Directors hosted the Annual Volunteer ‘Thank You’ Picnic. With over 65 Volunteers this is such a nice way to say thank you to the volunteers who come and help out at The Center on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Thanks to John Ur, Brian Fuarry and Father Bob for opening up their houses and lovely gardens for this event. The view of Deal Lake from the Sunset Property is breath taking!

We could not do what we do without the dedicated time the volunteers serve, providing care for those who are living with HIV/AIDS. No matter if folks are making and serving hot meals, washing dishes, doing laundry – folding clothes, making pantry and hygiene bags for the clients of The Center or the residents of Center House, our volunteers always serve with a lovely HEART!

On Thursday, June 23, 2011 We move the newest resident into Center House. The house will be completely full again; We have a waiting list for the next vacant available apartment. Move in day is always an exciting time for all of us at Center House. It nearly always brings joy to the new resident who is receiving a fresh and brand new start.

Even before we officially get the summer of 2011 started, I’d like to talk briefly about the end of summer. It’s only three months away and we’d like to ask you to mark your calendars for an annual end of summer ritual/celebration.

Celebrate the end of summer with a front row dock seat to the Annual Oceanport Fireworks Display. Our hosts, Bob & Gen Hickey of 92 Gooseneck Point Road in Oceanport New Jersey will once again open their Blackberry Bay Home and lovely lawn/pool garden to help us raise awareness and valuable funds to benefit The Center and support those who are living with HIV/AIDS.

Please Join Us! Cocktails ~ Wine & Cheese ~ hors d’oeuvres – Desserts ~ Music on Saturday, September 10, 2011 @ 7PM. Event Location: 92 Gooseneck Point Road in Oceanport, New Jersey 07757. A benefit for Center House.

Tickets are available online @ www.thecenterinap.com or call The Center @ 732 – 774 – 3416 for details. Event Cost: $35.00 Come RAIN or SHINE!!!

Thanks for those of you who continue to support The Center all year long. It takes a village of folks to keep The Center and Center House thriving and because of you lots of folks are living well. It is a JOY to come to work and stand along side ALL of you who are making our World a better and more beautiful place!

ALL my BEST!

Clark Shannon

Director of Operations

The Center & Center House

732 – 774 – 3416 x 21
May 2011

May continues to be a BUSY and SUCCESSFUL month for all of us here at The Center.

May First we hosted the New Jersey AIDS Walk and five state HIV/AIDS agencies banded together and held five separate AIDS Walks in five separate locations to raise both awareness and funds to help those living with the virus.

First I want to thank my family and friends who supported me in our 5 K AIDS Walk along the Jersey Shore. My sponsors helped me raise $1,513.00. I succeeded my personal goal and it means the World to me that my family and friends support me every year in my career. We continue the fight to make AIDS history!

THANK YOU for your kind and generous donations.

Friday Night, May 20, 2011 we hosted our eighteenth annual signature event - Center a la Carte 2011 at Convention Hall on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park. Nearly 25 local restaurants served their signature dishes and over 15 beverage companies presented their delicious libations! Nearly 500 VIP Guest paid One-Hundred Dollars each to help raise valuable funds for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Music, laughter, dancing, a chance auction, a super chance auction, a 50/50 raffle, balloonacy and a bottle ring toss combined with the ticket sales helped Father Bob raise nearly Seventy – Two Thousand Dollars in one night for The Center Foundation! Center a la Carte 2011 was one of our BEST events to date. If you missed it, please mark your calendar for next May. This unforgettable evening has become known for kicking off the summer and being Asbury Park’s most conscious social event of the year.

As The Center gets ready to celebrate its Twenty Year of serving those living with HIV/AIDS in 2012, I’d encourage everyone to get involved. Volunteers are making a HUGE difference in the lives of others less fortunate.

Thank you for making the World in which we live and work a safer and healthier place.

ALL my BEST

Clark Shannon

Director of Operations

The Center in Asbury Park

One Day ~ One Cause ~ Five Locations

Atlantic City ~ Asbury Park ~ Morristown

Pennsauken ~ Ridgewood

April 2011

Dear Family & Friends:

For the past five years, I have reached out every May to ask my family and friends to sponsor me in the Jersey Shore AIDS Walk. Over the past several decades, AIDS Walks throughout New Jersey have been organized by various independent AIDS service organizations. Each has successfully raised significant funds for HIV research, programs and services.

For the first time ever, five New Jersey leading AIDS service organization have unified their efforts to produce a single state-wide awareness and fundraising event on Sunday, May 1, 2011. On this one day, in five separate locations, thousands of people will walk in solidarity throughout the sate of New Jersey to support people living with HIV/AIDS.

Funds raised locally where I work at The Center in Asbury Park will go directly to support those living with HIV/AIDS in both Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The Center in Asbury Park has been serving those in our local community infected with the HIV/AIDS virus since June of 1992.

Center House opened in December of 2006 and over the past five years we’ve been able to move fifty-two former homeless folks infected with HIV/AIDS off the streets to give them a safe environment, to not only get well, but to stay well. Many of our current and former residents now enjoy healthy, happy and productive lives. Thanks in a BIG part to you and the funds that you have helped us raise!

While the daily lives for those we serve at both The Center and Center House are more than challenging ~ we have managed to help stabilize the lives of hundreds of people who might otherwise be lost or forgotten. Current medications for HIV/AIDS have managed to help those infected with the virus deal with their chronic illness. Thankfully those affected now no longer have to face living with a terminal illness or are left to feel as if they were handed a death sentence.

Helping our clients and residents stay compliant with their medications is the simplest part of our mission. Other complications for the chronically homeless are depression ~ which left untreated can become mental illness. Many of those we serve face drug or alcohol addiction ~ which requires a life time commitment to Harm Reduction, Alcohol Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous treatments.

The money you give will insure that those less fortunate receive the services that they so desperately deserve. Thank You!

Thanks in advance for your support again this year. I’ve said this often, but it’s worth repeating that my current career gives me a way to pay forward, instead of waiting for the end of each year and looking for a way to give back. I’ve gained a GREAT deal of faith and trust for the World in which we live and serve, from you. It gives me confidence to know that I have so many family members and dear friends who care enough to support the HIV/AIDS cause that I have chosen as my life work.

So on Sunday, May 1, 2011 your support makes an impact in Atlantic City, Asbury Park, Morristown, Pennsauken and Ridgewood New Jersey. The five agencies that have combined their awareness and fundraising efforts are: Buddies of New Jersey, Dooley House, New Jersey AIDS Services, South Jersey AIDS Alliance and The Center in Asbury Park.

Again the gift that you give to The Center in Asbury Park will go locally to our 501 3 C Charities and Foundation. It allows me to continue working in a meaningful and positive way to change this part of the World that I work and live in. Thanks again in advance!

ALL my BEST!

Clark Shannon

Director of Operation, The Center in Asbury Park, Inc. www.thecenterinap.com

March 2011

This Saturday and Sunday twenty of our core volunteers are helping out at the New Jersey Road Runner’s Club Half Marathon & Relay Race to benefit The Center in Asbury Park.

Volunteers will be working registration on Saturday to pre-register the some 500 Runners who are committed to the half marathon on Sunday.This is the second event that has been held in Asbury Park in which the New Jersey Road Runner’s Club has partnered with The Center to benefit those living with HIV/AIDS.

The race takes place on the Asbury Park Boardwalk at Convention Hall on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 9:00 AM. Please feel free to stop by and cheer the runners on, as well as to thank the volunteers who have dedicated their time to raise awareness and valuable funds for The Center.

Clark Shannon, Director of Operations
917 - 374 - 2444

January 2011

Our seventeenth annual Center a la Carte will celebrate another year of serving those living with HIV/AIDS. For the third year the event will be hosted in Convention Hall on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. This year’s event will take place on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 7 PM.

Tickets are on sale now for one hundred dollars each or you can sponsor a table of ten for one thousand dollars. The Center’s annual signature event will host Five Hundred VIP Guest where Twenty – Five Local Restaurants feature their Signature Foods and Ten Wine and Beverage Vendors serve their very BEST cocktails and specialty drinks!

Please come be part of the celebration and help us raise valuable funds for The Center and Center House. Music, Laughter, a Silent and Chance Auction, a 50/50 Raffle and a Wonderful Ambiance all create a FABULOUS Evening.

There are several ways you can contribute to this fundraising event where proceeds go directly to those living with HIV/AIDS:

    Take out an Ad in our Center a la Carte 2011 AD Journal.

   Contribute a Gift to be part of the Silent or Chance Auction.

   Purchase a Table of ten and Host your Family and Friends.

   Become a Presenting Sponsor or be a Red Heart Sponsor.

   Become a Center Sponsor or be a Center Benefactor.

Call The Center @ 732 – 774 – 3416 or go on line @ www.thecenterinap.com to be a part of this exciting event!
If you need additional information or for more details; please contact: Clark Shannon, Director of Operations, The Center in Asbury Park, located at 806 Third Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712. 732 – 744 – 3416 x 21 or e-mail: cshannon@thecenterinap.com

December 2010

December started with the remembrance of World AIDS Day and on December First, this year we marked the twenty-second anniversary of this Day of Remembrance around the World.

The Center hosted a candlelight walk from our complex on Third Avenue to the Memorial Service at Trinity Church in Asbury Park. Both the walk and the service were well attended and it provided an opportunity for family and friends to gather together and remember loved ones who made their transition from complications related to HIV/AIDS.

We gathered together, we prayed and we remembered those loved ones we have lost, many too soon and others way before they were ready to go. Time has helped heal many of the wounds and sharing this time together has brought some peace to the sadness that we have all experienced over the loss of clients at The Center and the loss of residents of Center House.

Currently Holiday gifts are being collected now through December 20, 2010 so that each resident of Center House and each client of The Center might have a gift to open on Christmas Day.

Many of those we serve would feel lonely or forgotten without the joy that the gift givers bring and it is a wonderful feeling to watch others give so freely and without any need of recognition.

Epecially with the effects of the poor economy, it is magical that so many have thought of the less fortunate first!  We have so many anonymous donors that it really restores ones faith in humanity.

May I wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

ALL my BEST!

Clark Shannon

November 2010

There is an Irish Blessing that states: When I count my blessings, I

count you twice.

That’s how I feel about the volunteers and other dedicated

individuals who help us remember the clients of The Center and

our residents of Center House each Thanksgiving.

This coming Saturday, on November 20, 2010 from 10 AM until 1

PM a host of volunteers and friends will gather at The Center to

construct 275 Thanksgiving Baskets for distribution to our clients

and residents on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of

Thanksgiving week.

Each basket is filled with gravy, stuffing mix, vegetables, canned or

instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, candies, nuts, desserts, etc.,

etc., etc…

And of course we’ll add a frozen turkey or canned ham!

There is still time to volunteer or bring these non-perishable items

by The Center to donate.

On Thanksgiving Day, Marilyn Schlossback of Langosta Lounge

and Pat Sherman of FEEDing Frenz will provide a free dinner at

Langosta Lounge from 11 AM – until – 3 PM on November 25, 2010

to all who are hunger or lonely.

Langosta Lounge is located on the Boardwalk at the Third Avenue

Pavilion in Asbury Park.

Marilyn and Pat are still looking for food donations of pre-cooked

turkeys and hams as they will be feeding thousands of hunger

folks on Thanksgiving Day. For details you could contact Pat

Sherman @ 732 – 988 – 6593.

Thanks for being a part of the magic and thank you for the many

blessings that we have received in 2010!

ALL my BEST!

Clark Shannon

Director of Operations

The Center in Asbury Park

October 2010

October started with an annual celebration at Center House. On Sunday, October 3, from 3 – 5 PM, The Center hospitality committee hosted our fourth annual Garden Party.

This year’s Oktoberfest theme was highlighted with Bavarian music and the traditional German colors of blue and white were displayed throughout Center House and the courtyard event.

Barbara and Frank D’Esposito of Sunset Farms on Sunset Avenue in Wanamassa donated the lovely flowers that graced our garden and Kevin Flanagan of Tinton Falls Liquor donated the Oktoberfest beer and wine that our guests enjoyed.

Our young volunteers prepared hot dogs, pretzels and home made cookies for the afternoon event. It was truly the first day of fall for us here on the Jersey Shore as temperatures barely claimed into the 60’s. Thankfully the rain was held off by the partly sunny and cloudy day.

Several Guests donated funds for our Center House apartment renovations and others purchased bricks for the courtyard in honor of their loved ones. The Center’s 2010 Commemorative Holiday Ornament was placed on sale celebrating the up coming holiday season.

We are delighted that several of our residents were adopted by Friends of The Center for their 2011 Birthday Remembrance Gifts. We appreciate the commitment of these folks to adopt a resident of Center House and we acknowledge their generosity in providing a resident with a birthday remembrance gift and card!

Birthdays are uniquely special and finding the time to insure that someone is not lonely or forgotten, will greatly improve their life! We trust those involved in this adoption process will find a great deal of joy in this anonymous gesture.

If you or someone you know would like to adopt a Center House resident and provide a $25 - $50 birthday gift for the up coming year of 2011, please contact us here at The Center.

Clark Shannon: cshannon@thecenterinap.com

or 732 – 774 – 3416 x 21

August 2010

Successes are measured in many different ways at The Center and Center House. Recently two of our original Center House residents completed four years of living well at Center House and they have successfully moved out to their own private apartment. It is touching when success stories end with love and your own home!

We are busy renovating two apartments; busy painting, cleaning, and purchasing all new liens and things to welcome two new residents to a new start and a lovely new home! It is wonderful to be able to gift someone a safe place to call their own. The Center and Center House are both peaceful environments; a safe haven for our clients, our residents, our volunteers and our staff.

Two of our benefactors, Bob and Gen Hickey are hosting an end of summer event to raise funds for the residents of Center House. Bob & Gen live on the end of Gooseneck Point Road in Oceanport, New Jersey and have an incredible home and view of the entire Blackberry Bay. At the end of every summer the Oceanport Township hosts a huge fire works display the first Saturday following Labor Day every year.

Rain or Shine! This September 11, 2010 at 7 PM, you are invited to join us for a front row seat to an incredible festive fireworks display. We’ll have a little Night Music, Wine and Cheese, 42 Below Vodka Cocktails and a Light Summer Supper by Moonlight on the Bay! Bob & Gen along with the hospitality committee for Center House are preparing the venue as a fundraiser for the residents of Center House and tickets are priced at only $35.00 per person.

100% of all proceeds benefit the residents of Center House. Please join us in our efforts to improve the quality of life for residents of Center House who are living with HIV/AIDS. Your contribution will provide holiday remembrances, individual birthday gifts and replace apartment furnishings when need.

Please RSVP: 732-774-3416 x 14 or email Clark Shannon

cshannon@thecenterinap.com

July 2010

The Fourth of July Independence Day celebration has past with not only a weekend cookout for the residents of Center House, but also brought a heat wave that has left the majority of the East Coast with daily temperatures well above 100 degrees.

The heat wave is extremely hard for many of the clients of The Center who depend on us for daily services. Some of our clients walk miles or ride their bikes in the heat for a chance to use our client telephone, enjoy a morning or afternoon snack. At least we have a cool air conditioned community room to serve a healthy daily lunch during the middle of the day.

We’re doing our best to keep our residents and clients hydrated and up to this point we’ve all managed the extended heat wave quite well. Some generous donors have stopped by with extra bottles of water, ice tea, lemon aide and Gator Aid to help serve up an extra cold beverage or two! It would be impossible for us to do what we do without the volunteers, the support of the community and our generous donors.

Thanks for all who are helping us in many ways to continue our services this summer. Over the past few months we’ve moved four new residents into Center House and it is an extremely rewarding experience to know these folks have a bright new future and a place to finally call HOME!

ALL my BEST!

Clark Shannon

June 2010

May was an extremely busy month for The Center in Asbury Park. First we hosted Center a la Carte 2010. Our 17th. Annual fundraiser was held once again at Convention Hall on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.

Twenty – two restaurants and ten beverage vendors donated their signature dishes and specialty drinks to a host of VIP guests. Added to the beautiful chance and silent auction items this year was a BALLOONACY segment which allowed our guests a one in four chance at winning a high end bottle of their favorite liquors.

Special thanks go to Peter James Floral Couture of Asbury Park who created the outrageous and gorgeous decorations for the center pieces. Everyone enjoyed the music provided by our host DJ; Adam Kenter of YES Graphics in Asbury Park. His selection of tunes was the perfect back ground music to heighten all the fun and laughter that was already inside Convention Hall.

J. T. of Madison Marquette fame provided the fantastic lighting that washed though out Convention Hall. ALL in ALL this was a magical and wonderful night. Father Bob’s guests are still complementing everyone on what a wonderful night this was.

It’s simply nice to celebrate another year of caring for those living with HIV/AIDS and recognizing the work that all the volunteers provide on a daily basis. Center a la Carte through the years has proven to be one of our most profitable and best loved signature fundraising events.

In May I was personally able to thank my loving family and loyal friends who sponsored me in our 5K Jersey Shore AIDS Walk that took place along the beautiful Jersey Shore on Sunday, May 16, 2010. Your kind and generous donations meant that I was able to contribute $996.00 to this important and single one day fundraising event. 100% of the proceeds go directly to those living with HIV/AIDS.

Each year we walk for our ‘family and friends’ to remember those who have made their transition from complications associated with the HIV/AIDS virus. This event also allows us to raise both awareness and valuable funds for those who are still struggling with HIV/AIDS.

June is off to a GREAT start! This past weekend we participated in the Gay Pride Festival in Asbury Park with an informational booth that highlighted the social services that we provide for the clients of The Center and the residents of Center House.

Sunday brought a sunny and very windy day to the festival, but a little more sun and the cool breeze added to this already FESTIVE day! Our special thanks to Karen, Les, Marilyn, Lorenzo, Jimmi, Jim and Jim; who all helped man/girl our information booth!

It was with GREAT Pride that I enjoyed working with these dedicated folks who helped us show case the services of The Center at the Pride Festival.

ALL my BEST!

Clark Shannon

April 2010

Dear Family & Friends:

Once each year I reach out to my family and friends and ask that you support the mission of The Center in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where I enjoy a career as Director of Operations for both The Center and Center House.

Every May we host our signature fundraising event, The Jersey Shore AIDS Walk; a 5 K Walk along the beautiful Jersey Shore to raise both awareness and valuable funds for the clients of The Center and our residents of Center House.

100 % of the proceeds go directly to support those living with HIV/AIDS. Your donation would mean the World to me and the Universe I work and live in. Most of our clients and our residents would be lost or forgotten without the social services that The Center provides for them.

Since 1992, for the past seventeen years, in both Monmouth and Ocean Counties; The Center has supported those we serve with much needed Nutrition Programs: Meals to Go, Emergency food and hygiene supplies, monthly family Sunday dinners and a HOT Lunch Program - Monday through Friday – serving between 50 – 75 meals each day.

We provide Housing Assistance for the homeless, rental subsidies to assist people in maintaining their housing, assistance with utility payments and security deposit payments for people securing new housing.

In 2006 we opened Center House, a project of The Center which provides twenty-five single adult studio apartments in a supportive and affordable community setting for homeless adults. Center House is a one of the projects that I am most proud of.

Over the past four years we’ve been able to move over forty-two formerly homeless men and women off the streets and give them a safe environment to not only get well, but to stay well.

While the face of AIDS and HIV has changed over the past twenty-five years, the challenges remain. Those who are depressed, if left alone; often develop mental illness. Those who are left alone without help can be tempted to seek to solve their problems otherwise and are more likely to become addicted to drugs or alcohol.

The Center has created a safe haven for our staff and the seventy-five plus faithful volunteers who prepare and serve meals and assist clients with intake and maintain our food pantry. Our services are a vital part of our community.

We’ve seen positive results and witnessed ripple affects in the lives of those we serve. Your support gives hope to a person who is living with HIV/AIDS. Your donation, no matter how small will touch the life of a stranger and give some relief to the burden that their family and their care givers share.

2009/2010 brought some sad and heartfelt moments as two of our residents recently passed away and made their transition due to complications from the HIV/AIDS virus. I was able to be personally involved in both these young men’s lives and it was with a great sense of responsibility that we provided a home for both of these young men. I am most grateful that they did not have to make their transition alone or die on the streets.

Your contribution makes it possible for us to continue to provide care for those less fortunate and to those who struggle on a daily basis just to maintain some normalcy. We have clients that walk miles just to use our telephone so they are able to book their medical appointments.

Every day things we take for granite are insurmountable to those suffering, but we are determined to improve the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS. I appreciate your love, support and prayers as I try to pay it forward in my work and devotion to my career.

Your gift allows us not to be looking for a way to pay back – as your generous donation will make all the difference to one single life today! May you continue to be blessed in your journey though this Universe.

I am indebted to all that you continue to do for me and others.

ALL my BEST!

Clark Shannon

Director of Operations

The Center and Center House

806 Third Avenue

Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712

732.774.3416 x 21

917.374.2444 Cell