On Thursday, June 22, 2023, Monmouth Park Charity Fund’s Winners Circle Society held its annual meeting of its members at Deal Golf & Country Club. The highlight of the annual business meeting included a presentation from each of the three prior year grantees showcasing the positive and life-changing outcomes each grant has provided in our local community. 

Theresa Valentino, Director of Development of The Arc shared how their inaugural WCS grant provided funds to purchase the innovative and therapeutic equipment and supplies to outfit their Sensory Room recently unveiled at their new Achievement Center located in Wall, N.J.

Bob Orsetti, representing The Handicapped Highriders Club updated us on the critically needed facility & equipment safety upgrades that their grant award funded to support their therapeutic horseback riding programs for local disabled people in Allentown, N.J.

Lastly Kim Guadagno, Executive Director of The Mercy Center, Asbury Park shared how their WCS funded VITA free tax preparation program put earnings back into the pockets of underserved families and senior citizens with 116 tax returns prepared and filed by volunteer accountants, bringing $216,428 in taxpayer benefits to these low income workers, an average benefit of $1,866 per individual.

“It was great to see many of our longtime friends and some new ones as well. It was impressive to see how our grants have been transformational in our local communities”, shared MPCF Co-President, Maria Farhat Tanzola.  She went on to say that “The Winners Circle Society works much like a Community Foundation where donors pool their giving to address community needs and support local non-profits while MPCF ensures the nonprofits funded have been vetted for fiscal and program management. Members determine which charitable program receives the annual grant allocation.