A Celebration of Past, Present & Future Civic Leaders

YMCA of the Jersey Shore, in collaboration with local partners, invites community members to the 37th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in Farmingdale. The event honors the life and legacy of Dr. King and recognizes the work of local civic leaders.

“Taking a moment to reflect on the work of Dr. King and his message of hope is such a meaningful way to start the year,” said the Y’s President and Chief Executive Officer Laurie Goganzer. “The annual breakfast is a chance for us to raise awareness for civic leaders hard at work in our community to make sure Dr. King’s spirit lives on. It’s also an opportunity to recognize and inspire our local youth as future leaders of change.”

Honoring Today’s Civic Leaders

The commemorative breakfast will feature a keynote address from acclaimed children’s author, historian and playwright Carmen Rubin. A resident of Manalapan, Rubin co-founded One Blue Village, a nonprofit organization that supports youth in obtaining higher education. She also serves on the National Advisory Board for Reading is Fundamental.

Several local community leaders will be honored at the event in recognition of their commitment to the principles of social justice, hope and unity, as embodied by Dr. King:

• YMCA Human Dignity Award - Beatriz Oesterheld, executive director and chief executive officer of the Community Affairs Resource Center (CARC). The Tinton Falls resident is also a board member of the VNA Community Health Center and the Latino American Association, a member of the Governor’s Council for Disability and chairs the Interagency Lead Task Force at the state level.

• YMCA Community Champion Award - Teena Lomack,  director of operations of The Feast. After a long career as a psychiatric nurse, she worked as a nurse auditor for The Arc of Monmouth. She was also a foster care mom and oversaw numerous programs at the Pilgrim Baptist Church, where she remains an active member. Sheresides in Asbury Park.

• YMCA Social Responsibility Award – The Grunin Foundation, which provides holistic support to organizations with a shared vision of an equitable, just and vibrant Central Jersey Shore. Since its inception in 2013, the foundation has invested over $58 million in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Located in Toms River, it was co-founded by Jay and the late Linda Grunin. Their son Jeremy currently serves as president.

A Launchpad for Future Leaders of Change

The event is also a time to encourage and inspire local high school youth. “Our younger attendees are the heart of this event,” said Michael A. Wright, chief volunteer officer of the Y and chairperson of the MLK event committee. “Motivating our youth to become future stewards of social justice and civic engagement is why I continue to be so vested in this event year after year.”

In recognition of the belief that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, a new Youth Changemaker Award will be presented at the event. The award is based on several criteria, including a demonstrated commitment to positive social change, active participation in YMCA civic engagement programs and inspiring others to volunteer in community service activities.

This year’s recipient of the YMCA Youth Changemaker Award is Annika Raj, a Holmdel resident and senior at Biotechnology High School. She leads the New Jersey Youth and Government program as a state officer and was selected to represent the Garden State YMCAs in Washington, D.C. The winner of a National Outstanding Statesman title, she is a member of several civic organizations, including YMCA of the Jersey Shore Model United Nations and Civic Leaders of America.

Two grand prize winners of the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest will present their winning essays at the breakfast. This year’s essay theme is a timely topic and asks applicants to reflect on the role social media and technology play in relation to respect and social responsibility in their local school or community and how they can use these platforms as vehicles for positive social change and unity.

Powered by Partnership

Goganzer emphasized that generous partners play a vital role in honoring Dr. King’s legacy and bringing the community together in service and reflection.

“Beyond supporting this commemorative event, their partnership strengthens the Y’s civic engagement programs for youth and teens, ensuring young people have the tools, confidence, and opportunities to lead in their communities.”

Top sponsors for the event include:

• Youth Champion Sponsor - Lyon’s and Associates

• Future Leaders Sponsor - Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

• Civic Engagement Sponsors - CARC (Community Affairs & Resource Center), VNA Health Group, NJ Leaf, Causeway Cares, PNC Wealth Management, and Sue and Jim Harbison and family.

• Essay Sponsors - Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey Natural Gas and PorterPlus Realty.

Get Inspired with the Y

The commemorative event will begin with registration at 7 a.m., followed by a breakfast buffet at 7:30 a.m., and the MLK program will start at 8 a.m. Event tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for youth 16 and under, and $600 for a table of 12.

Tickets and sponsorships for the annual celebration may be purchased online at https://ymcanj.org/mlk.

About YMCA of the Jersey Shore
The YMCA of the Jersey Shore is a cause-driven nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Based in Shrewsbury, NJ, we serve 42,000 people annually in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. From lifesaving swim lessons and child care to mental health support and chronic disease prevention, we offer programs that uplift people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. With a legacy of more than 150 years of service, we’re proud to be named a USA Today Top Workplace for 2025 and Top Workplace in New Jersey 2022-2025 by NJ Advance Media. Learn more at www.ymcanj.org.