The second annual Island Gala and Casino Night to benefit David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation, known throughout the community for helping local residents and their families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, will be held at The Sea Shell Resort and Beach Club in Beach Haven, Friday, Aug. 8, from 7 p.m. to midnight. The gambling-themed event will feature six blackjack tables, one roulette table, three poker tables and two craps tables.
For the first time, a David’s Dream and Believe Humanitarian of the Year Award will be presented to local residents and business owners Eric and Melanie Magaziner. Melanie is also vice president of the foundation’s board of directors. The award acknowledges individuals dedicated to the foundation’s mission statement, “Saving Lives by Fighting Cancer Together,” and who are also committed to helping others in the community.
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| Photo via Trip Advisor The gala will be held at The Shell in Beach Haven. |
“They’ve been involved with the foundation almost since its inception,” said Caldarella. “The two things that we wanted to focus on are a person’s dedication to the foundation and a dedication to the community because we all live in the community. I don’t just attend my own foundation events. I go to Jetty events, Jetty Rock events, START events, LBI Foundation events, and we’re just a big community supporting each other. Melanie and Eric have both done that for as long as I’ve known them. We figured it was a good place to start with honoring them, and we’re looking forward to honoring a lot of great people in the community that step up on a daily basis.”
A brief video about the foundation, produced by students from Southern Regional High School's audio visual department, will also be played during the ceremony. The video features some of the patients the foundation has helped as well as children from the organization’s Generation Dream team. Caldarella said he will be viewing it with the audience for the first time.
“We’re really excited because we’re obviously a part of the community and the local schools as well,” he said. “When we heard they wanted to help us out with a public service video, we were just thrilled. I really can’t wait to see the video on Friday night.”
Good food as well as a three-hour top shelf open bar will be available during the night.
Acoustic music by John Manzella, whose wife, Kim, serves on the foundation’s board of directors, will be provided during the first hour of the event. Music played by a DJ will continue throughout the night.
A variety of live and silent auction items will also be available. Big ticket items include a three-night stay in Napa Valley, a dinner for eight prepared at home by Eric Magaziner and photography by Ann Coen.
Reservations for the event cost $150 per person, and the dress attire is cocktail-style. To reserve a spot, contact Caldarella at david@davidsdreamandbelieve.org or 609-548-3382.
–Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
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