Mary’s Place Bash Raises Funds; Honors NBC’s Pat Battle

In between the two intense thunderstorms on Saturday, I was fortunate enough to spend a few hours with some of the most amazing people I know, all to benefit a local charity that's helping women with cancer.

Mary's Place by the Sea is a 501(c)3 non-profit respite in Ocean Grove where women battling the disease can stay overnight, and get services like nutritional counseling, art therapy, one-on-one counseling, oncological massage, and reiki treatments, among other things.

Everything is absolutely free of charge, and co-founders Michele Gannon and Maria McKeon have volunteered so much of themselves to make sure it not only stays that way, but grows bigger and better to help even more women.

I have been fortunate enough to be involved with the crew from Mary's Place by the Sea for the past 3 years, and the good they do is immeasurable. I've emceed each of their annual walk-a-thons, and was honored to help emcee Saturday's night party.

The 'Let's Build it Together Rooftop Bash,' held at a spectacular beachfront home in Ocean Grove, was a fundraising effort to help reach their $2 million goal. The money will be used to build their new 10-bedroom handicap accessible home, on Main St. in Ocean Grove.

One of the night's honorees was NBC's 'Weekend Today' co-anchor Pat Battle, a breast cancer survivor (and Jersey Shore native!) who chronicled the charity on her show, which brought 20 new guests at Mary's Place.

I was glad to announce at the end of the night that $50,000 had been raised, in addition to money raised from a silent auction and other pledges, but obviously there's still a long way to go to reach the $2 million mark.

To find out more about Mary's Place by the Sea, including how you can help, CLICK HERE.