Freehold, Red Bank Nonprofits Receive Basie Giving Year Awards

RED BANK, NJ — As the Count Basie Center's Giving Year is drawing to a close - at least for 2023, here is an update on recipients for October and November.

The Basie Center for the Performing Arts/Bank of America New Jersey program provides that $1 of every ticket sold in a given month benefits a designated social services agency or other community-based nonprofit. In addition, the program calls for donations of complimentary event tickets for any staff or volunteers or others related to the designated nonprofit.

The Giving Year focuses on organizations serving causes related to arts and culture, health/wellness, food insecurity, diversity, equity and inclusion, or financial management or other services to underrepresented populations.

This fall, the Parker Family Health Center and the Freehold Area Open Door were the recipients.

Parker Family Health Center

In October, Red Bank’s Parker Family Health Center was named the recipient.

The mission of the Parker Family Health Center is to operate a free health care clinic where Monmouth County residents without health insurance, or the means to pay for medical care, can be treated with dignity and compassion, its leadership says.

The nonprofit, which has been active in the community for more than two decades, follows in the footsteps of the Parker Family legacy. In 1919, Dr. James Parker, Sr. cared for patients in their homes because local hospitals would not accept Black doctors on their staffs. Following in his father’s footsteps after retirement, Dr. James Parker, Jr. established a medical practice open to all. He took care of generations of Red Bank residents regardless of their background or ability to pay.

“Parker Family Health Center is so grateful to the Count Basie Center and Bank of America for selecting us as the October beneficiary for The Giving Year,” said Suzy Dyer, executive director, Parker Family Health Center. “This support helps Parker continue to provide care for the underserved in our community.”

And she said the need continues to grow: "Parker has seen a 30 percent increase in patients since this time last year,” Dyer explained. “We cannot do this work alone, and we look forward to our working together for the betterment of our community.”

“The Parker Health Family has a rich history that continues to shine through their community-centric mission,” said Alberto Garofalo, President, Bank of America New Jersey.

For the "historically under resourced in our area, Parker has been a beacon of hope and wellness for more than 20 years. The Count Basie Center is proud of its continued support of this important organization,” said Jeremy Grunin, chairperson, Count Basie Center for the Arts.

Freehold Area Open Door

In November, Freehold Area Open Door was the Giving Year recipient.

The mission of Freehold Area Open Door is to assist its community’s most vulnerable. With origins as a food pantry, Freehold Area Open Door expanded their services to include advocacy services and an afterschool program.

On Thanksgiving, Freehold Area Open Door was planning to serve more than 575 families with a full holiday meal, as well as special holiday treats for its senior population.

“We are so thankful and humbled that the Count Basie Center and Bank of America have chosen Open Door as November’s recipient for The Giving Year,” said Geralyn Fraggetta-Drury, executive director, Freehold Area Open Door. “Generous donations like these make it possible for us to continue to serve over 3,000 households each month with grace and dignity. They allow us to provide our families with choices and give them control during a time that they may be struggling in other areas of their lives.”

“This donation will increase our ability to support our neighbors and help them discover resources that will make their lives easier,” said Victa McKenzie, president, Open Door Board of Directors. “Open Door has been committed to doing all we can to support our neighbors, and to help the discover resources that will help support them.”

“For over three decades, Freehold Area Open Door has provided an impressive range of services to community members, from food, rent and utility assistance, to afterschool programming and holiday gifting," said Garofalo of Bank of America New Jersey. “We support Open Door and applaud their tireless efforts to fight food insecurity and meet the needs of children and adults in Western Monmouth County.”

Grunin, Count Basie Center for the Arts Board of Trustees chairperson, said the Freehold Area Open Door's goal "is to meet clients where they are, address their immediate needs, and help them to become self-reliant. Through their origins as a food pantry, Open Door saw the everyday struggles of their community, and grew their program to meet those needs. We’re proud to support their efforts through the Giving Year.”

Organizations interested in consideration for the Giving Year may learn more and apply for consideration at www.thebasie.org/thegivingyear.

The Giving Year has highlighted different organizations each month of 2023. Organizations will be eligible to receive up to $15,000 during their month, in addition to complimentary tickets for various Basie events.

Mental wellness nonprofit Shore House kicked off the Giving Year in January, followed by Asbury Park’s Inspire Life, The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide in Freehold, the Sandy Hook Foundation, Red Bank’s No Limits Café, LGBTQIA+ resource organization QSpot, the Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy, Hispanic outreach services at the Red Bank Public Library, and literacy advocates Project Write Now, according to the Basie Center.