TOMS RIVER TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE

A COMMUNITY AGAINST SUBSTANCE ABUSE

33 WASHINGTON STREET

TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY 08753

732-341-1000 EX. 8490

J. Masterson                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Chuck Bodo

Chairperson                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Coordinator

February 9,  2007

TO:  ALL MEDIA/Assignment Editor

FROM:  Helen McGovern, Deputy Coordinator

Dear Editor:

Kindly run previews on the below referenced event and provide listings in any health-related sections and community calendar columns you may run in your publication.  Please also send a reporter and photographer to the dinner.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Helen McGovern

Awards Dinner Scheduled for March 29^th

The 2007 C.A.S.A. – Alliance Awards Dinner will be held Thursday, March 29^th at Elks Lodge #1875 on Clifton Avenue and Washington Street in Toms River.  The event will begin at with a social gathering at 5:30 PM and a hot buffet dinner will be served at 6:00.

Community Against Substance Abuse, Inc. (C.A.S.A.) and the Toms River Township Municipal Alliance host this annual event to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in substance abuse awareness, education, and prevention.  The 2007 Eagle Award will recognize the Ocean County Safe Night program and its facilitators.  The CASA Achievement Award honoree is Bob Dolan, Sr. who has played an integral part in its success.  

The Alliance and C.A.S.A. often partner in coordinating substance abuse prevention efforts throughout Dover Township and its schools.  They fund programs, stage events, and provide educational literature targeting community members of all ages.  C.A.S.A. is a non profit organization manned entirely by volunteers.  The Annual Awards Dinner is its only fund-raiser.  The Toms River Township Municipal Alliance is funded by grants coming through the Ocean County Board of Health and the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.  The Alliance also depends greatly on its active volunteer membership.

Tickets for this event are $25 and are available by calling the Alliance weekdays, at (732) 341-1000 x 8490, 9 AM to 1 PM.  During the evening, a buffet-style dinner will be served by members of Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM), high school student volunteers from the Toms River Regional Schools.  TEAM participates in substance abuse education programs throughout the community and often works with C.A.S.A. and the Alliance.