FARMINGDALE, NJ (May 1, 2017) – In recognition of Brookdale Community College’s 50th Anniversary, the Brookdale Foundation will present five awards to local education advocates, philanthropists and college founders during the 2017 Brookdale Foundation Scholarship Ball, held June 9 at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club in Farmingdale.

This year’s honorees are Bob and Joan Rechnitz, local philanthropists and founders of the Two River Theater; The Anabel Foundation, a Fair Haven-based charity supporting a variety of nonprofits across Monmouth County; and Zodiac Aerospace, a Wall Township-based world leader in aerospace equipment and onboard systems and a longtime supporter of Brookdale students and the foundation.

Founders’ Awards will be also presented to the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders and to the Northern Monmouth Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Both organizations were instrumental in the founding of Brookdale, and will be recognized in honor of the college’s 50th anniversary.

“This is a special year for Brookdale Community College, and we wanted the 2017 Scholarship Ball to reflect that,” said Timothy Zeiss, executive director of the Foundation and Alumni Affairs. “This year’s honorees have improved the lives of countless local residents, families and Brookdale students through their years of support, and we are very proud to recognize them during this 50th anniversary celebration.”

The scholarship ball, beginning at 6:30 p.m., will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, live music, prize auctions, raffles and a special “50th Anniversary 50/50” drawing. Individual tickets are available for $200, and sponsorship packages and ad journal opportunities are now available.

Community members are also invited to donate items for gift baskets and prize auctions. All proceeds benefit the foundation’s Building Minds, Building Futures scholarship fund, which has provided more than $4.4 million in college scholarships to nearly 7,000 local students over the past 16 years.

For more information visit www.brookdalecc.edu/foundation or contact Tani Ortore at 732-224-2260 or jortore@brookalecc.edu