Red, White & Brew Scholarship Celebration

It’s become a tradition that not only serves as a kickoff to summer but a major fundraiser for the J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center at Community Medical Center.

The 13^th Annual Red, White & Brew Wine Tasting Event will take place tonight at the Toms River Country Club and the good news for those of you who have not made plans to attend is you can purchase tickets at the door.

Presented by the Community Medical Center Foundation the tasting event features food samplings from 12 area restaurants as well as a many wineries and breweries who will be on hand to provide a variety of wine and beer tastings.

The summer kickoff runs from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. and will include live music, a silent auction, 50/50 drawing and more.  Tickets are $75 and again can be purchased at the door and casual summer attire is not only welcome but encouraged.

While attendees will thoroughly enjoy themselves equally important is knowing they will be helping support the cancer center which is named after Phil Citta, the popular owner of The Office Restaurant and Lounge who died of cancer in 2004.

The previous Red, White & Brew events at the Toms River County Club have raised over $1 million according to event co-chairs Jarrod Grasso and Nick Pagano who have spent months working with their committee of 24 people.  Hopefully it all pays off tonight with another successful event enjoyed by many.

This year’s Jack Martin Scholarship recipients are soon-to-be Brick Township High School graduates Kyle Sullivan and Marisa Nahrwold.  The two received $250 scholarships this week from Paul Larson, Jr. of Larson Ford and Hank Handchen who continue the program started by their late fathers in 1980 which honors a baseball and softball player from either Brick or Brick Memorial.

The scholarship fund was established to honor Jack Martin, a former major leaguer who played for both the Yankees and Phillies.  Kyle played baseball for the Green Dragons and will be attending Ocean County College while Marisa is a softball player on her way to the UNC Charlotte.