UFREF Press Release

After several months of organizational activities, the newly-formed Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation (Foundation) is planning its first major fundraising event.

With newly-approved by-laws providing direction and a newly-elected set of officers providing support, Jim Derasmo, Acting-President, urged the full Foundation Board of Trustees to meet quickly to continue plans for its Gala Event to occur in the spring of 2006.

Derasmo was elected on November 30, 2005, and heads the executive committee that includes Mary Beaumont, Vice President; Scott Smith, Treasurer; and Dick Messner, Secretary. The four officers accepted "acting" positions in order to move Foundation activities forward, and will serve until the annual organization meeting to be held next spring.

The Foundation, a non-profit organization, serves to increase and enhance educational opportunities in the Upper Freehold Regional School District by raising funds to be used as a source of grants to students, teachers and administrators.

Other trustees include Tanya Cheff, Nick DeMauro (chair of the Gala Event Committee), Eileen Heddy, and Donna Huryn. To ensure communication with the School District and Board of Education, the Superintendent of Schools, Bob Smith, and Board of Education member, Joe Stampe, serve as ex-officio trustees.

The Foundation's Board of Trustees is planning to expand by spring of 2006, and is seeking broad representation of the community and experience in areas such as fundraising, public relations, events planning, grant allocation and non-profit management.