2007

Since Joe Leone’s opened its doors in 1997, Joe has remained committed to providing his customers with the highest quality Italian breads, prepared Italian specialties and imported retail items. Joe’s commitment to and hands on approach in community events and charitable donations to local churches, non-profit organizations, schools and other organizations is testament to his unselfish dedication to help those less fortunate.

LENNAR, formerly US Home, is a local new home builder, building over 25,000 homes in NJ under the LENNAR/US Home name since the 1950’s.  LENNAR’s philosophy has always been about more than just building and delivering quality homes.  Over the years LENNAR has been committed to the FoodBank, Make a Wish Foundation of NJ and the American Cancer Society.  Their belief in “doing the right thing for the right reason”, is demonstrated not just by donating money, but by LENNAR giving its time and heart.

Jack Annunziato is 17 years old and is very active in the community. Jack volunteers at the Emergency Department at Monmouth Medical Center, organizes neighborhood food drives and together with his youth group & classmates, makes dozens of lunches twice a month and delivers them to the homeless and hungry in Asbury Park.

2006

For the last six years, Gina Petillo has been an integral part of the FoodBank’s Humanitarian of the Year Dinner Dance Steering Committee.  Gina co-chaired the event in 2004 and 2005, leading the event in its’ two most successful years.

Gina is very active with the Jersey Shore University Medical Center and currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and is a member of their Government and Public Relations Committee.  She also served on the Meridian Gala Silent Auction Committee from 1993-2004; co-chaired the Meridian Gala Ad Journal in 2005 and was chairman of the Jersey Shore University Medical Center Board Nominating Committee in 2005. Gina is also a Board Member of the Parker Family Health Center where she volunteers weekly.

During the last 20 years, Gina has served many important causes.  She has been very involved with the ARC of Monmouth County’s Winter Glow Ball and their Spring Luncheon.  She chaired their raffle committee for 14 years and served as committee member and executive committee member. She has also participated in and chaired committees at the Red Bank Catholic High School, the Colts Neck Fair, and the YMCA of Western Monmouth County.

People making a difference are the community’s most valuable resources. There is no doubt – Gina does make a difference.

Big Joe Henry, radio host for NJ101.5, is no stranger to our area and it’s no surprise that he has the most listened to weekend radio program in the state of New Jersey. Big Joe Henry’s motto of “Livin’ Large and Lovin’ Life” certainly is reflective of his activity in many charitable and community causes. Joe has been an integral part of the FoodBank’s Humanitarian of the Year Dinner Dance Committee, as well as our Master of Ceremonies every year at our popular Culinary Classic event at The Mill. 

NJ 101.5 noticed Joe’s community connection and today he participates in numerous charity events on behalf of the radio station. His charitable activities include working with Toys.Calm and Holiday Express.  He also serves on the planning committee of the New Jersey Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge.  Joe has received awards and recognition from numerous area groups such as the NJ Broadcaster’s Association, NJ FMBA, Jason’s Dreams for Kids, NJ State PBA, and the NJ Special Olympics.  He serves as the Executive Director of The Rock and Roll Music Fund.  Joe co-hosted The Hope Concert with Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, The Max Weinberg Seven, Bobby Bandiera, and others in 2003.

He most recently traveled to areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina and distributed over 80,000 toys to children in the Gulf Coast. We are lovin’ honoring this livin’ legend.

The FoodBank selected Jessica Frasco, an outstanding 17-year old from Spring Lake, as our 2006 Junior Humanitarian. Jessica began volunteering for the FoodBank while still in grammar school. Over the years, she has developed a yearly event called "Healing Hunger" that involves partnering with community businesses and residents.  Last year, this carnival/food drive collected 6,500 pounds of food in addition to much needed funds.  Jessica further serves her community by volunteering as a girl’s basketball coach and as a Peer Tutor in Spanish and Math at Manasquan High School.  She also volunteers at St. Catharine’s Church and at the Jersey Shore Cancer Ball. With her Girl Scout Troop, Jessica has coordinated the baking and distribution of bread for a soup kitchen in Asbury Park each Thanksgiving. She helps in the preparation and delivery of holiday presents for young mothers and infants through the Lakewood School District. Jessica’s compassion and commitment make her the perfect Junior Humanitarian.

2005
Gary and Tamar Tolchin and Anthony and Karen Cirillo have been co-owners of The Mill at Spring Lake Heights since 2001. Each May they have hosted The FoodBank's annual Culinary Classic, the best and largest tasting event in the area. Gary and Tamar also support many other charitable organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Monmouth County and the Grace Foundation of New York for autistic children. Anthony and Karen are also supporters of the Grace Foundation and HeartShare Human Services of New York which assists families with developmental disabilities and HIV/AIDS. In 1997, Anthony was recognized for chairing the HeartShare Gala which raised over one million dollars.
Joseph Grabas: Joe is a 17 year-old junior at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. Twice a month through the Lasallian Youth Group, Joe prepares and serves meals to the homeless, and tutors young children in after-school programs. He also volunteers at the Upper Room soup Kitchen in Lakewood , helps with the Neptune Senior Center and Diane Turton, Realtors Thanksgiving projects and the Western Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity building projects. Joe was nominated for the People to People Student Ambassador of the Year in 2004.

2004
Diane Turton: Diane participates in numerous community projects and has been a committed friend of the FoodBank for many years. This past summer Diane and Father Alphonse Stephenson began the first beach food drive associated with the Point Pleasant ocean front concerts. More recently, Diane has provided office space on Third Avenue in Spring Lake for a FoodBank drop-off site that will be collecting food donations through the summer of 2004.
Kiah Malick: Kiah is a 17 year-old Manasquan High School senior. She has been a volunteer with Linkages - a transitional home for mothers and children in Tinton Falls - since the age of 10. Kiah's own non-profit, "We Shore Care," has been instrumental in supplying birthday cakes, holiday gifts, toys and equipment to the children at Linkages. Kiah recently received The Helen Herrman Outstanding Youth Award for Community Service from the Volunteer Center of Monmouth County.

2003
Senator Joe Kyrillos and Susan Doctorian Kyrillos: Senator Kyrillos is a longtime supporter of foodbanks statewide. In 2001, he championed the "New Jersey Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Act," leveraging millions of federal dollars for foodbank hunger programs. The Senator also aided the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties by helping to secure state funding for our new facility. Susan Doctorian Kyrillos is a leader in numerous community causes. She co-chaired a popular summer event for the FoodBank and has assisted our auction committee. Together, they make a strong team.
Ashley Henry: The Junior Humanitarian was Ashley Henry of Lakewood . A senior at Lakewood High School and member of the Pupil Assisted Learning Service, she has participated in many altruistic endeavors, including helping to put together a Senior Citizen Prom, providing computer tutoring for seniors, teaching Character Education at the middle school and Sunday school at her church.

2002
Edward McKenna, Mayor of Red Bank: Mayor McKenna was honored for his commitment to helping those in crisis. Mayor McKenna helped create the Alliance of Neighbors, dedicated to helping the families of victims of September 11 recover from the impact of the attack.
Gabrielle Brandt: Our Junior Humanitarian was Gabrielle Brandt, whose humanitarian actions included donating 14" of her hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit which provides wigs to children with cancer and other illnesses. unties in 2000. 

2001
Jon Bon Jovi:  Over the years, Jon has aided dozens of local causes and charities (those helping children are closest to his heart) by donating his celebrity name, his time his energy or a charity performance.  He opened his home to raise desperately needed funds for the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.  He is passionately involved with Special Olympics and is on the Board of Directors for their "Very Special Christmas" music projects.  Jon and his band donated a brand new 24 foot truck to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in 2000.   He is a tireless fundraiser and philanthropist and the FoodBank was proud to make him our Humanitarian of the Year in 2001.          
Erin Puck: Erin was honored as our first Junior Humanitarian in 2001. As Erin fought a courageous battle against a cancerous brain tumor last year, her strong will and inborn spirit of generosity carried her through. She founded TOYS.CALM (website link), a charity to collect toys for children at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital who are nervously facing surgery and hospitalization, and which later raised $20,000 in 2001. 

2000
Anita Roselle:  As committeewoman and member of the Advisory Board for Monmouth County ARC, she has served as the chairperson for the highly successful Winter Glow Ball for (at the time) 10 straight years.  At Jersey Shore Medical Center, she has been a member of the foundation's Board of Directors for nine years, a committee person for the Sapphire Ball for six years and chairman of the auction committee for two years. For Brookdale Community College 's foundation, she has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 1988 and chaired the President's Ball for three years, also establishing the Roselle Family Scholarship in 1996.  At Monmouth University , Anita served as a member of the Scholarship Ball committee for 10 years. 

1999
Tim McLoone:  As the founder and director of Holiday Express, Tim has proven that a group of talented musicians and a force of people who care can make the holidays brighter for thousands of people each year.  Since 1993, the all-volunteer organization has performed for groups of 50 - 5,000 at soup kitchens, shelters, children's programs, AIDS hospices, hospitals and community centers throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.  The group brings everything with them for a great party:  gifts, food, decorations, dancers, activities and crafts - even Santa and his elves travel with the band.    Named All-American in cross country and track at Harvard University , Tim has also organized hundreds of runs throughout the years for charities in the area, including the FoodBank. 

1997
Patricia Laus:  As owner of the very successful Atlantic Club, she rarely designs a program or plans an event without naming a civic or charitable organization to benefit from the project.  She has been involved in numerous charitable organizations including the Wall Community Alliance's Drug Education Program, the special Olympics Corporate Challenge, The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, the Count Basie Learning Center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Epiphany House, The National Conference of Christians and Jews, as well as being a long time friend of the FoodBank.