Sandy Hook Foundation Chosen For Red Bank Theater's Giving Year

RED BANK, NJ — The Sandy Hook Foundation is the fourth Giving Year recipient from the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America.

This year, 12 area nonprofits will be recognized in a yearlong initiative to recognize and reward organizations for their contributions to the regional community, the Basie Center said.

The Sandy Hook Foundation (www.sandyhooknj.org), The Official Friends Group of the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, will receive $1 from every Count Basie Center ticket sold in April, along with tickets for the organization’s clientele and volunteers, the Basie Center said.

Founded in 1989, the nonprofit has funded cultural, educational, environmental, and conservation programs and has helped restore and preserve historic structures of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock — both National Historic Landmarks.

"Sandy Hook is a national treasure, an unpolished gem right here in our community's backyard,” said Peter S. Izzo, President, Sandy Hook Foundation Board of Trustees.

“The Sandy Hook Foundation works to protect and preserve the park's natural and cultural assets and enhance the visitor experience through expanded and ongoing public programs and projects inside the park,” he said.

“This recognition from the Count Basie Center and Bank of America during The Giving Year will give us the opportunity to directly create a bigger impact at the park this year, and in years to come,” Izzo added. “We are deeply appreciative of the support."

The Sandy Hook Foundation’s mission is to "enrich the visitor experiences at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, which the organization accomplishes by preserving and rehabilitating the park’s natural resources, supporting public programs and services, raising awareness of park initiatives, fundraising, and acting as a local-centric liaison with the National Park Service and U.S. Department of the Interior," the organization says.

“The work that the Sandy Hook Foundation does to advocate for, enhance and rehabilitate the Gateway National Recreation Area is vital for the preservation of this natural park,” said Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey.

“Now more than ever, we need to do more to be mindful of our environmental impact – especially in a coastal community such as ours” said Jeremy Grunin, Chairperson, Count Basie Center for the Arts.

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

Organizations interested in consideration for the program may learn more and apply for consideration at www.thebasie.org/thegivingyear. Organizations need only apply once. Qualifying applications will be considered on a rolling basis throughout 2023.

The Count Basie Center for the Arts is donating $1 from every ticket sold to one of 12 area nonprofits, with a different organization highlighted each month.

Organizations will be eligible to receive up to $15,000 during their month, in addition to complimentary tickets for distribution to their volunteers and/or their beneficiaries.