News and Press

Samuel Shapiro, a 16-year-old sophomore student at Mater Dei Prep in Middletown, has been announced as this years winner of the Sunrise Optimist Club of Freeholds Oratorical Contest. Shapiro was hand selected by judges after blowing them away with his five-minute-long speech driving home the importance of optimism in society, in the workplace, and [Read More]

Dina DAmbrosi, Holmdel, has announced her plans to run for the upcoming Holmdel Board of Education elections to be held November 3, 2015. Her platform revolves around her slogan which is Lifelong Holmdel resident dedicated to serving our children and our community. Dina brings a combination of professional experiences that cover both the business and [Read More]

The folks who attended the August 20 farm fresh dinner and wine tasting at Via45 had an opportunity to experience the battle. Led by New York Vintners Consulting president and wine expert, Perry Porricelli, 25 people sampled nine wines that were paired with exquisite dishes prepared by Lauren Phillips and Claudette Herring of Via45. The [Read More]

Sylvias Children, a non-profit launched in 2003 by New Jersey businesswoman and philanthropist Sylvia Allen, has announced today that it has received grant funds totaling more than $800 from Minneapolis, MN.-based Thrivent Financial. An eligible member of Thrivent Financials Choice Dollars program, Sylvias Children focuses on supporting and improving the living conditions for more than [Read More]

Sylvia's Children has received $822 in Choice Dollars grant funds since enrolling in the program. Over the last 5 years, eligible members have recommended that Thrivent Financial distribute more than $225 million in charitable grant funds to more than 25,600 enrolled churches and organizations through Thrivent Choice. View Thrivent Newsletter

Sylvias Children, a New Jersey-based non-profit, committed to improving the lives for more than 1,000 children in Mbiriizi, Uganda, will be helping to bring in the Christmas cheer…in July! Every year around November, volunteers from around the country embark on a trip to the Ugandan village to help bring Christmas joy to the children at [Read More]

Sylvias Children, a New Jersey-based non-profit founded by businesswoman and philanthropist Sylvia Allen, announced today that it has received a donation of health care products under a grant from the Henry Schein Cares Global Product Donation Program. Through this program, Henry Schein, Inc., the worlds largest provider of health care products and services to office-based [Read More]

"Last year, I was introduced to Sylvia's Children. Sylvia's Children is a non-profit organization in Uganda, Africa serving as home, school, and medical clinic. I traveled with a team to the small village of Mbiriizi. In Mbiriizi, I provided medical care including physical exams, medications, treatments, procedures, and referred for different imaging studies. During [Read More]

Sylvias Children (www.sylviaschildren.org), a New Jersey-based non-profit, will once again be embarking on a heartwarming Christmas trip this November. Each year, volunteers with the organization help to bring Christmas magic to the children of the Mbirizi Advanced Primary and Day Care School located in Uganda, Africa. One third of the 1,015 children currently attending the [Read More]

For the last two years, ten of the Starbucks stores in one district were responsible for hosting a clothing drive in the spring and fall which provided Sylvias Children with over $20,000 for the Mbiriizi Advanced Primary School in Uganda, Africa. With a change in management, this effort has been tabled. As a result other [Read More]

Long Branch, NJ… MRA International, based in Long Branch, is pleased to announce the hiring of five new employees. Diane Dalton and Bill Washauer have been added to the outside sales representative staff; Terrel Jenkins and Tom Hsu will be covering inside sales and tech support; and Lester Fox will also handle inside sales. According [Read More]

Ben Kezmarsky, CIO/Director of Information Technology for Bergen County, knew that a lot of money was being wasted on toner and printing supplies; he found closets full of expired toner cartridges when he started his job in January 2011. His department consists of five people to oversee the technology and phone system needs of the [Read More]

Riverwood Healthcare Center welcomes Kathy Starkka, nurse supervisor for its primary care and specialty clinics in Aitkin. Starkka brings 20 years of nursing experience to her new role managing the day-to-day operations of the clinics, supervising a staff of 20. As a registered nurse since 1993, for the past 17 years she worked at St. [Read More]

George Family Foundation and Allina Health partnership to improve health AITKIN, Minn. Riverwood Healthcare Center is among 13 health systems serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin communities that have been chosen to participate in a three-year program called the Healthy Communities Partnership. A $475,000 grant from the George Family Foundation and Allina Health, and administered by [Read More]

Pop Goes the Week interviews Sylvia Allen and writes, "Like many of you, I have never been to Africa, nor do I comprehend half of what is happening in that part of the world without having visited. It is difficult to imagine what that world must be like in real life separate from what I [Read More]

Holmdel, NJ January 8, 2013… Women business owners throughout Central New Jersey are invited to start the new year off with the National Association of Women Business Owners, Central Jersey (NAWBO-CJ). NAWBO-CJ will host a dinner meeting with a guest speaker and networking on Tuesday, January 15 from 6:00 9:00 pm at the Hilton Garden [Read More]

Join us to make 2013 an Awesome Year for You and Your Business ONE VOICE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD! January 15, 2013 Dinner Meeting with Speaker and Networking 6:00 pm 9:00 pm Hilton Garden Inn, 50 Raritan Parkway, Edison, NJ 08837 Sylvia Allen, Founder and CEO of Sylvias Children, will share her [Read More]

November 14, 2012 - The damage and disruption caused by super storm Sandy reverberated throughout the residential and business communities in New Jersey and New York. In Long Branch, where MRA International is headquartered, the loss of power meant owner Bruno Tirone needed to figure out a backup plan. MRA International, which has been in [Read More]

HOLMDEL, N. J. It only takes one person to make a difference. After devoting the past 10 years to her nonprofit Sylvias Children, anyone who has met New Jersey resident Sylvia Allen, 75, would undoubtedly agree she has helped make life better for more than 1,000 children in Mbiriizi, Uganda. Allen journeyed to Africa with [Read More]

HOLMDEL, N. J. In the course of our day to day lives, 400 hours may not seem like much. But for Tony Costa its worth its weight in silver. Thats because the Long Branch resident has again been presented with a silver Presidents Volunteer Service Award for volunteering 400+ hours to Holmdel-based charity, Sylvias Children. [Read More]

HOLMDEL, NJ… In what has proven to be a very successful partnership, a group of Starbucks stores and Sylvias Children, a 501(c)3, are raising funds in a grass roots effort to help children in Africa. Sylvias Children is conducting a clothing drive at ten Starbucks locations in New Jersey, now through November 18th. Participating [Read More]

HOLMDEL, N. J. Sylvia Allen and her work at home and abroad will be featured this Sunday and next on two popular news specials on ABCs KSTP TV in Minnesotas Twin Cities. On July 15, as part of its 10:35 p.m. CT nightly news segment, ABC 5 will be airing a story about the Butler [Read More]

Long Branch, NJ… A full day of free activities and events for the entire family is waiting for visitors to the 21st Annual Oceanfest festival on Monday, July 4th. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. along the promenade between Seven Presidents Park and Pier Village and offers live childrens entertainment, live bands, [Read More]

HOLMDEL, NJ… In the course of our day to day lives, 400 hours may not seem like much. But for Tony Costa its worth its weight in silver. Thats because the Long Branch resident has again been presented with a silver Presidents Volunteer Service Award for volunteering 400+ hours to Holmdel-based charity, Sylvias Children. Costa, [Read More]

Neptune, NJ… Bruce Springsteen's new release and upcoming tour aren't the only things garnering attention from the musician's fans. A vintage 1973 copies of his single Spirit In The Night sold on eBay in February for just over $1,900 to a buyer in Sweden.

1) Talented wedding filmmakers' schedules fill up fast, so book early Once you have scheduled a wedding date, you should waste no time in starting your search for your videographer. The most talented ones are booked heavily in advance, so make shopping for a videographer a top priority. 2) Ask friends and family for referrals [Read More]

Holmdel, NJ...With the current rash of video equipment that anyone can use, there has been a dramatic increase in people professing to be wedding videographers. And, as they all scramble to get the attention of engaged couples, one videographer stands out from the crowd. Damon Dietz, president and lead filmmaker at Absolute Media Production, offers [Read More]

Organization seeks to raise awareness of crisis Over 1,000 children in Africa will feel much better next month when their adopted grandmother Sylvia Allen, founder of Sylvia's Children, returns to their village. But this time, she's bringing a surprise: A family of American doctors and nurses. Through her 501(c)3 organization, Allen has had the opportunity [Read More]

Jeff Tuccillo (Katohan, NY) - owner of Salon 777 is running the 26.2 mile race this year to benefit Sylvias Children. He has been practicing for two years and is now ready to run. In order to compete, Tuccillo had to run nine qualifying races in 2010 to be eligible. In addition, he had to [Read More]

Toms River, NJ - Foodies will find lots of reasons to visit Historic Downtown Toms River this year. The Downtown offers visitors to the Jersey Shore a multitude of exciting family festivals, a weekly Jersey Fresh farmers market featuring new monthly special events, and more. The season kicks off mid-May. Therell be lots of spicy, [Read More]

Jersey City, NJ - Josephs Florist, located at 3662 Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City, has announced they will be accepting used cell phones and printer cartridges for recycling. The phones and cartridges will be recycled and the proceeds donated to Sylvias Children, a 501(c)3 organization that supports children at a primary school in Uganda. The [Read More]

Belmar, NJ - If youve passed on flu vaccinations because youre afraid of needles, or your child is terrified of needles, this is your opportunity. ESI Medical will be offering needle-free flu shots for $9.99 on Tuesday, December 14th from 12 noon 4:00 pm in the Food Court at the Monmouth Mall. ESI Medical, which [Read More]

HOLMDEL, NJ - Starbucks has partnered with Sylvias Children, a 501(c)3, to help raise funds for children in Africa. Sylvias Children is conducting a clothing drive at eleven Starbucks locations in New Jersey through June 15th. Participating locations are: Middletown, Marlboro, Matawan, Manalapan, Edison, Union, Westfield, East Brunswick, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, and Piscataway. Items [Read More]

Holmdel, NJ - Holmdel Village School students have spent this year learning about character traits using shoes as a visual reminder of this years theme, If the shoe fits, wear it. The hallway walls at the school are covered with colorful shoes bearing the students names. Each time they demonstrate one of the traits being [Read More]

FREEHOLD, NJ - The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold is pleased to announce the winners of their annual essay contest. The theme for this years contest was The Power of Youth. The winning essays focused on what defines youth and the power and opportunity that it affords. First Place was awarded to Johnine Licht, St. [Read More]

Freehold, NJ - The Studio Photographers (www.thestudiophotographers.com), with locations in Freehold, Millburn, and Staten Island, New York, is proud to announce for a second year in a row it has been rated by area brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2008/2009 Pick. Their listing can be viewed in The Knot Best of Weddings [Read More]

Long Branch, NJ - Theres a new store opening in Long Branch that will not only save you money, it will help you make some too. The grand opening of Back On The Racks consignment shop, at 144 Brighton Ave, Long Branch is set for the first week of March. The store will offer trendy [Read More]

Holmdel, NJ - Pacific Encore Performances, an internationally acclaimed musical repertory company based in New York and Monmouth County New Jersey, is thrilled to announce a premiere television special being filmed for summer viewing on NJN Network. The special will also be offered for viewership on other PBS stations. Pacific Encore Performances has an international [Read More]