(Click above image for event pictures)
Over 200 attendees for MEND’s 2016 fundraising dinner
The Moorestown based non-profit organization hosted the event at the Lenola Firehouse Venue on Friday, October 7, 2016.
MEND hosted its “Wings and Things… The Heat is On… Affordable housing is a constant need!” dinner for well over 200 friends and supporters at the Lenola Firehouse Venue in Moorestown on Friday, October 7th . The annual dinner is the premier fundraiser for MEND and this year, MEND decided to add some heat with wings from Whistler’s Inn and chicken tenders from Wing King as the featured appetizers! Georgetti’s provided guests with a variety of delicious entrees and a wonderful selection of deserts.
Matthew Reilly, MEND’s President and CEO spoke about “the continuing, growing need for affordable rental housing” and he thanked MEND’s Corporate Development Officer, Stephanie Blackwell, and the Event Committee, Matthew Zonies, Victoria Robertson, John Khanlian, Geraldine Hayne, Deborah Flick, Daniel Dyer, Daniel Caldwell and Louise Carter for doing such a great job with this year’s event.
This year’s guest of honor, a MEND resident and Board Member, shared her story and stated “MEND put me in a better situation and gave me peace of mind.” She is just one of many single adults living on a fixed income and because of MEND, she is living on her own and independently. “Boy did I get lucky!” she exclaimed as she spoke about how she loved her apartment and the great location; next to the bus stop, restaurants, pharmacies, convenience stores, etc. “I feel blessed to be here and grateful, so thank you MEND.”
MEND continues to work hard to stay true to the sentiments of its founder, Boyce Adams, that “Everyone deserves a decent, safe and affordable place to call HOME.” Today, MEND continues its mission by helping low and moderate-income individuals and families obtain safe, decent, affordable rental housing near their places of work and within their chosen communities.
The Wings and Things… The Heat is On… Affordable housing is a constant need!” event on October 7th was a fun way to help MEND maintain its mission! Sponsors included Mr. & Mrs. C. Harry Knowles, TD Bank, Holman Automotive, Conifer Realty, Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Bowman & Co., Gary Gardner Architects, Garrison Architects, Kitchen & Associates and Laurel Evaluations. Mr. Reilly thanked all guests for their support and reminded everyone that charitable donations to MEND help keep the apartment rents below market levels, thus easing the housing costs of MEND tenants who then can better afford basic necessities and be contributing members of their community.
MEND is a private, nonprofit corporation that develops, builds, owns and manages affordable rental housing in southern New Jersey. Established in 1969, MEND currently owns 725 apartments in 29 separate locations in 8 towns in the Burlington County region. 250 of these apartments are located at 20 different locations in Moorestown. MEND’s now 47 year-old mission is to maintain and expand the supply of affordable rental housing for low and moderate income individuals and families (including senior citizens and persons with disabilities) who cannot afford market-rate rental housing in our area.