(RED BANK – January 4, 2023) The Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America (BofA) have announced the final area nonprofit to be recognized during THE GIVING YEAR, the yearlong initiative to recognize and reward organizations for their contributions to the regional community.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (https://caregivervolunteers.org) will receive $1 from every Count Basie Center ticket sold in December, in addition to donations of complimentary event tickets for the organization’s donors, volunteers and clientele.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey is an interfaith nonprofit agency dedicated to providing free supportive services to the frail, elderly and the home-bound, enabling them to live independently and with dignity in their own homes. Founded in 1993, the organization currently consists of more than 1,200 volunteers assisting over 2,000 senior citizens in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

“We are deeply honored and grateful to have been chosen as the December 2023 beneficiary of The Giving Year by Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America,” said Megan O’Keefe, Executive Director, Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey. “This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to improving the lives of seniors in our community. We are excited to partner with these esteemed organizations and appreciate their generous support in helping us make a meaningful impact.”

“Ocean County has a higher percentage of folks over the age of 60 than any other county in the state,” said Jeremy Grunin, Chairperson, Count Basie Center Board of Trustees.  “Caregivers Volunteers has provided a valuable lifeline, for those that might otherwise be living in isolation, for nearly three decades now.”

“For over two decades, Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey has provided a range of essential support services to improve the lives of homebound seniors and veterans in our community,” said Alberto Garofalo, President, Bank of America New Jersey. “We applaud the selfless, compassionate work of Caregiver’s network of volunteers and are glad our support will allow the organization to continue to provide no-cost, compassionate care for years to come.”

BofA and Basie Center employees and board members started reviewing applications following the announcement of THE GIVING YEAR initiative on Giving Tuesday last November. THE GIVING YEAR has focused on organizations serving causes related to arts and culture, health / wellness, food insecurity, diversity, equity and inclusion, or financial management or other services to underrepresented populations.

ABOUT THE GIVING YEAR INITIATIVE

THE GIVING YEAR ran every month in 2023,  with the Count Basie Center for the Arts donating $1 from every ticket sold to one of twelve area nonprofits, with a different organization highlighted each month. All organizations were eligible to receive up to $15,000 during their month, in addition to complimentary tickets for distribution to their volunteers and / or their beneficiaries.

Upon announcing THE GIVING YEAR last November, Basie Center and Bank of America officers presented the initiative as an opportunity to use the organizations’ platforms to highlight important work and causes throughout their service regions. The 12 selected nonprofits in 2023 included:

• • January: Shore House(Long Branch)
  • February: Inspire Life(Asbury Park)
  • March: The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (Freehold)
  • April: The Sandy Hook Foundation (Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook National Gateway Area)
  • May: No Limits Café (Red Bank)
  • June: QSpot (Asbury Park)
  • July: Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy (Red Bank)
  • August: Project Write Now (Red Bank)
  • September: Hispanic outreach efforts by the Foundation for the Red Bank Library (Red Bank)
  • October: Parker Family Health Center (Red Bank)
  • November: Freehold Area Open Door (Freehold)
  • December: Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (Toms River)

Videos on each organization recognized during The Giving Year can be found here.