Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation Receives $10,000 Grant From Bristol-Myers Squibb

The Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation and Allentown High School’s robotics team received a $10,000 grant today from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Bristol-Myers Squibb representative Chris Nalbone formally presented the grant to Allentown High School Principal Christopher Nagy and UFREF President James Derasmo during a brief ceremony at the high school. 

 “I am very grateful to Bristol-Myers Squibb for all their efforts to make a difference in the lives of our students,” said Nagy. “Bristol-Myers Squibb’s support for these educational endeavors makes this world a better place.” 

The grant will be used to purchase materials associated with designing and building a robot that will compete against other robots in various levels of competition in New York and New Jersey. 

Nagy said that as a result of these competitions and robotic club involvement, students are selecting certain majors that incorporate functions learned in robotic competitions. 

“Bristol-Myers Squibb is pleased to support the Allentown robotics team, and we share the district’s pride in their accomplishments,” said Nalbone.  “It has been personally rewarding for me to represent the company as a mentor, which has allowed me to take our support well beyond a financial one.” 

“We are extremely thankful to Bristol-Myers Squibb for their generosity, as well as Chris Nalbone, a Bristol-Myers Squibb employee, and Mr. Wicks, who serve as the robotics team’s advisors, for without their time and support, this would not be possible. We are also especially thankful for the great relationship we have with the school district,” said Derasmo after the presentation ceremony.

The Upper Freehold Regional (UFR) Education Foundation is a nonprofit coalition of the private, business, and civic sectors, dedicated to promoting quality education by establishing, supporting and enhancing programs of the UFR School District.

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.

Foundation to Bridge Gap Between Budget and Need

Here is the link to the Examiner article:

Foundation to bridge gap between budget and need