The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold was recognized this past weekend with the 2019 Community Philanthropic Award, presented by the American Red Cross.

The award was presented to the organization during the American Red Cross 36th Annual Red, White & You Gala, held at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park.

Held annually for nearly 40 years, the American Red Cross honored the Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold as one of New Jerseys outstanding heroes strengthening the foundation and supporting the growth of Red Cross services in our communities.

As part of Optimist International, the Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold belongs to one of the worlds largest service club organizations with 80,000 adult and youth members in 2,500 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, and throughout the world.

The Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year.

During the annual awards ceremony gala, delicious cocktails and cuisine were also enjoyed by guests, as well as live music, dancing and an auction, along with a special Red Cross Mission Room. In this room, attendees could interact with the American Red Cross programs and services it provides.

Other award winners during the night included J.Knipper and Company, which took home a 2019 Clara Barton Corporate Humanitarian Award, and Holiday Express, which received the 2019 Clara Barton Community Humanitarian Award.

To learn more about Optimist International, please call (314) 371-6000 or visit the organizations website at www.optimist.org. For more information on the American Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org.