Proceeds will benefit historic Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank
BRIELLE, NJ – The Charles Lafitte Foundation (CLF) will host its 12th Annual Charity Golf Classic on Monday, June 29 at the Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, NJ.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Count Basie Theatre, a world class arts and entertainment venue in Red Bank, NJ that fosters understanding and appreciation for the power of the performing arts and creates opportunity for cultural enrichment for people at all economic levels.
Specifically, the funds raised at CLF’s Charity Golf Classic will create an endowment for arts and educational outreach programs at Count Basie Theatre. With the creation of the endowment, Count Basie Theatre will receive continued funding to provide its valuable educational offerings in perpetuity.
“The potential for the arts to have a positive impact on children for a lifetime of cultural enrichment is why Count Basie Theatre’s mission is so important for our community,” said Jeffrey Citron, Co-Founder, The Charles Lafitte Foundation. “Every child should be exposed to the arts. With an endowment for Count Basie Theatre’s educational programming, we can help make that happen for children at all socioeconomic levels for years to come.”
The Count Basie Theatre’s educational mission is to provide a foundation of cultural enrichment to students of all ages and economic levels. These efforts include arts instruction and coursework, plus unique programs like teacher’s professional development and bus-in programs for students in underprivileged school districts.
“Opportunities like this – to establish an endowment for the Count Basie Theatre’s arts education and outreach programs do not come around often. This couldn’t be a better reflection or recognition of the invaluable programs and contributions our nonprofit theatre gives to the community,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Theatre. “As beneficiaries of the Charles Lafitte Foundation Golf Classic, we are being given a unique opportunity to secure a lifeline for the community as a whole and provide difference-making programs for years to come.”
Suzanne and Jeffrey Citron, CLF founders, will match each donation from the golf outing, dollar for dollar. Last year’s event raised $375,000 for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Jersey. Over the past 12 years, the Charity Golf Classic has raised more than $5 million to improve the lives of countless individuals.
“Understanding the ability of the arts to impact, enrich and ultimately change lives has been the motivation behind the development of our educational programming,” said Yvonne Lamb Scudiery, Education Director, Count Basie Theatre. “We are truly grateful to be singled out as the beneficiary of the Charles Lafitte Golf Classic. Future generations will have the opportunity to experience the benefits an education in the arts offers to individuals as well as to the community.”
Donations of any amount are welcome and will be matched by CLF. For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, ticket and donation information, visit https://charleslafitte.org/events/2015golfclassic or contact Jennifer Vertetis, CLF President, via the form here.
About The Charles Lafitte Foundation
The Charles Lafitte Foundation (CLF) supports innovative and effective ways of helping people help themselves and others around them to achieve healthy, satisfying and enriched lives. The Foundation supports organizations working in four main areas: education, children’s advocacy, medical research & issues, and the arts. The Foundation underwrites programs that can become self-sustaining with long-term commitment and measurable impact. In determining grants, CLF looks for solutions that lead to independence and self-empowerment for individuals, and to the establishment of effective, long-standing programs and organizations.
For more information about the Charles Lafitte Foundation visit www.charleslafitte.org.
About Count Basie Theatre
The primary mission of the Count Basie Theatre is to serve the people of the State of New Jersey by providing a broad spectrum of quality entertainment and education programs that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the region; foster understanding and appreciation for the ennobling power of the performing arts; and create opportunity for cultural enrichment for people at all economic levels. It also is our mission to develop and maintain a world-class venue that enhances the enjoyment of these entertainment and education programs; contributes to the cultural and economic vitality of the community and the region; and honors the memory of Count Basie.