Red Bank YMCA Receives $15,000 Grant for Children-At-Risk

OCEANFIRST FOUNDATION $15,000 GRANT TO PROVIDE ARTS EDUCATION EXPERIENCE FOR MONMOUTH COUNTY CHILDREN AT RISK

When OceanFirst Bank established OceanFirst Foundation in 1996, the goal was simple: Give back to the community by supporting the local charitable organizations that help those in need and make the Jersey Shore a better place to live and raise a family. More than 600 local charities have received donations totaling over $15 million during the past nine years, including The Children’s Cultural Center in Red Bank.

OceanFirst Foundation has awarded The Community YMCA, Red Bank Branch, a $15,000 grant for its Children’s Cultural Center. The money will benefit the Center’s “OceanFirst Impression Scholarship Program,” for children ages 3-12 at risk of educational failure.

Gary I. Laermer, The Community YMCA’s President and Chief Executive Officer, says, “This significant OceanFirst Foundation grant will greatly assist us in providing children in our area with a first class arts education experience. OceanFirst’s commitment to this community is exemplary, and we are truly fortunate to count them among our most ardent supporters.”

The Cultural Children’s Center offers children an alternative to an unsupervised life in front of a television or video game where they can enjoy a creative and unconventional after school or weekend experience with stimulating activities, including painting, photography, ceramics, drama, literature, culinary arts, dance and creative movement, television studio work, special events, and guest artists.

In 2005, OceanFirst Foundation donated more than $2 million to community initiatives. Recently, more than $800,000 in grants where awarded to The Community YMCA Red Bank Branch and 14 additional community, education, and health organizations that address housing, youth development, education, and medical services issues.

Founded in 1996, by OceanFirst Bank, OceanFirst Foundation is the nation’s first community charitable foundation established by a bank as part of an initial public offering. OceanFirst Foundation is currently valued at more than $38 million and its contributions to local charities continue to grow. OceanFirst Foundation has contributed over $15 million to more than 600 local charities in the Jersey Shore region since its inception. For more information, call 732-341-4676 or visit www.oceanfirstfdn.org.