Community Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

More than 300 people gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of social justice and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County’s 34th memorial breakfast on Jan. 13 at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel.

“The Y is so happy to be together again as a community to honor Dr. King,” said YMCA President and CEO Laurie Goganzer. “For the past two years we carried on this cherished tradition by gathering virtually because of the pandemic, but it sure is special to come together from all corners of our community to celebrate in person.”

It was a morning to remember the principles and ideals of Dr. King and to hold up Monmouth County residents who reflect his values.

Pastor Kerwin Webb from the Second Baptist Church in Asbury Park was honored with the YMCA MLK Human Dignity Award. He serves as Chairman of the Board for the T. Thomas Fortune Foundation and is the coalition liaison for the New Jersey Social Justice Remembrance Coalition, both in Red Bank. He is also past president of the Greater Red Bank NAACP and is an education specialist for Interfaith Neighbors, a community nonprofit in Asbury Park.

New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal, first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, was presented the YMCA Social Responsibility Award. He has helped secure critical funding to expand access to mental health services and champions the rights of underserved populations in his district and across New Jersey.

Mother-son volunteer team Yulissa and Jayden Gomez of Eatontown were recognized with the inaugural YMCA Togetherhood Champion Award for their time and commitment to lending a hand in the community. The duo began volunteering for the Y Togetherhood volunteer program during the pandemic, collecting and distributing food, serving Thanksgiving meals, and helping at beach sweeps and at the Red Bank Classic 5K road race.

Winners of the annual MLK student essay contest inspired the audience with their essays on how they’ve been impacted by rising hate crimes and violence aimed at racial, ethnic and religious groups and how they are working to find solutions. Annabel Sparano, a freshman at Trinity Hall, and Nathan Chertog, a sophomore at the Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science, each received a $1,500 academic scholarship for their winning essays. The essay contest was sponsored by Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey Natural Gas and PorterPlus Realty.

The Rev. Dale Caldwell, pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, was the keynote speaker. He called on the audience to stand up to injustice. “If you see injustice, fight injustice,” he implored.

Goganzer invited the audience to join the Y’s Togetherhood service initiative, which relies on volunteers like Yulissa and Jayden Gomez to make a positive impact in under-served communities. Each month the Y’s Togetherhood team leads service projects, such as food and blood drives, clothing drives, backpack collections and holiday dinners.

Goganzer noted that over 650 volunteers “are helping to make an impact in our communities.”

YMCA Board member and event Chairman Michael Wright served as emcee of the program, which also included an invocation from Pastor Terrence Porter, Pilgrim Baptist Church, Red Bank; keynote introduction by the Rev. Ronald Sparks, Bethel AME Freehold; benediction by Pastor Janet Jones, AME Zion Church, Red Bank; and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” performed by Eric Jones, Jr. of AME Zion Church. Rabbi Sally J. Priesand, Rabbi Emerita from Monmouth Reform Temple, and YMCA board members Itzel Hernandez and Christian Buckman introduced award recipients.

Members of the MLK planning committee were: Wright, Seiden Kriegerr; Hernandez, American Friends Services; Rev. Sparks, Bethel AME Freehold; Latonya Brennan, Arthur J. Gallagher; Natasha Davis, VNA Health Group; Maria Diaz, New Jersey Resources; Lori Ferguson, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield; Sue Harbison, HABcore; Thomas Hayes, New Jersey Natural Gas; Darryl Hughes, Hackensack Meridian Health; Loryn Lawson, Byrnes, O’Hern & Heugle; Gwendolyn Love, Lunch Break; Samara O’Neil, PorterPlus Realty; Gilda Rogers, T. Thomas Fortune Foundation; Pamela Scott-Johnson, Monmouth University; and Y team members, Gogazner, Teicia Gaupp, Pam Hearn, Stacey Lastella, Jo Ann Rountree, and Stacy Vasta.

In addition to the essay sponsors, the following businesses and organizations supported the event: the Grunin Foundation, Citizens, Horizon Foundation, Senator Declan O’Scanlon, PNC Private Bank, Stanger Investment Banking, and the Vin Gopal Civic Association.

For information about the Y Togetherhood program, visit www.ymcanj.org.

About YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
YMCA of Greater Monmouth County is here for all – to empower youth and teens, improve health and strengthen community. Over the past five years, our Y has provided more than $5 million in financial assistance and subsidies to Y participants throughout greater Monmouth County. Our life-changing programs and services are anchored in eight communities: health and wellness facilities in Freehold Township, Old Bridge and Red Bank; an outdoor day camp in Wall; counseling and social service centers in Eatontown, Matawan and Middletown; a childcare center in Freehold Township; and integrated in over 100 schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Named a New Jersey Top Workplace 2022 by New Jersey Advance Media, we’re based in Shrewsbury, NJ. Learn more at www.ymcanj.org.