YMCA to Host Annual Dr. King Celebration Jan. 17 in Long Branch

The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County, which operates the Old Bridge Family YMCA, invites community members to join in honoring the life and work of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King at its 36th annual memorial breakfast on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch.

This year’s commemoration will feature a keynote address from Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, winners of a student essay contest, musical performances and award presentations to civic leaders who reflect the spirit of Dr. King’s social justice work.

“The Y is looking forward to bringing together people from across the Jersey Shore region to celebrate Dr. King’s enduring message of hope, justice and unity,” said the Y’s President and Chief Executive Officer CEO Laurie Goganzer.

The following community leaders will be honored with awards for their dedication to embodying the principles and ideals of Dr. King:

• YMCA Social Responsibility Award - Congressman Andy Kim (D-NJ), who will assume a seat on the U.S. senate in January. He lives in Moorestown.
• YMCA Human Dignity Award - Terrence Porter, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Red Bank and a resident of Scotch Plains.
• YMCA Togetherhood Champion Award - Itzel Perez-Hernandez of the American Friends Service Committee. The Red Bank resident is a member of the Y board of directors.

An important element of the annual event is to carry Dr. King’s message forward through the high school students who participate in the Dr. King Essay Contest. Two essays will be selected as grand prize winners, and the students will present their winning essays at the breakfast.

Both winners will be awarded a $3,000 academic scholarship, sponsored by Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey Natural Gas, and PorterPlus Realty, and be given a one-year membership to a YMCA of Greater Monmouth County branch of their choice.

This year’s essay theme encourages students to reflect on challenges, setbacks, or failures they’ve faced, and how those moments relate to the broader fight for equality and the pursuit of Dr. King’s dream.

“Inspiring our young people to engage in social justice and civic engagement has always been a vital focus of the Y’s MLK commemoration,” said Michael A. Wright, chief volunteer officer of the Y and chairperson of the MLK event committee.

The commemorative event will begin with registration at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast at 7:30 and the MLK program will start at 8. Event tickets are $40 for adults, $15 for youth under 16 and $400 for a table of 10 and may be purchased online at https://ymcanj.org/mlk. Sponsorships for the event, ranging from $250 to $5,000, are also available online.

About YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
For 150 years, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County has empowered youth, improved health, and fostered connections that unite and uplift the community. Serving 42,000 people annually, we’ve provided over $5 million in financial assistance in the last five years. With locations in eight communities and programs integrated into more than 100 schools across Monmouth and Ocean counties, we are dedicated to strengthening communities. Named a New Jersey Top Workplace for three consecutive years by NJ Advance Media, we’re based in Shrewsbury, NJ. Learn more at www.ymcanj.org.