Members Celebrate Holiday Season at Chapter’s Annual Christmas Dinner
23rd Annual Event Continues Chapter’s Holiday Tradition
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID LAUWE - META4 COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the New York/New Jersey Chapter of the Financial Managers Society recently celebrated the Chapter’s 23rd Annual Christmas Dinner event. The gala affair was held at the Fiesta in Wood-Ridge, NJ on December 8, 2015.
Past Chapter President Grace Cruz-Beyer encourages Santa to overcome a bout of "shyness" while being introduced to the membership.
Chapter President Brian McCourt welcomes everyone to the 23rd annual Chapter holiday event.
Past Chapter President Grace Cruz-Beyer welcomes the large contingent of Chapter Members to this year’s event and offered special thanks to all who contributed to the Toys-4 Tots program.
Chapter Members shared the joy of the holiday season with underprivileged area youngsters and disadvantaged mothers through generous contributions to the Toys-4-Tots and the Star of Bethlehem programs. Members continued the Chapter’s long tradition of donating a bounty of unwrapped toys for distribution to area children. In fact, the Chapter has now donated more than 5,000 toys to local charities during more than 20 years of program participation! The Chapter also provided donations to the Star of Bethlehem program in conjunction with the First Choice Women’s Resource Center in Newark, NJ. Members’ generous contributions will provide support for disadvantaged moms as well as gifts for their young children.

The magnificent holiday program included a splendid cocktail hour with open bar featuring an endless variety of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres followed by a full course “surf ‘n turf” dinner followed by an evening of Christmas karaoke. The night was capped off by the traditional visit from Santa and his helpers who made sure that not even a single member went home without a special gift.

The dinner event also featured the introduction of a Chapter Past Presidents to honor their service to the Chapter which over the years has become a traditional part of the Chapter’s holiday celebration.

 Grace Cruz-Beyer, Past Chapter President and “Holiday Master”, welcomed all in attendance and began the “formal” Holiday program by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Past Chapter President John Klimowich offered the traditional invocation followed by a word from current Chapter President Brian McCourt. Immediate Past Chapter President Andriette Mathews then offered a champagne toast to wish everyone a happy and healthy Holiday season. Grace Cruz-Beyer formally introduced 14 Past Chapter Presidents who each received warm applause from the Membership.

 

Members and guests formed holiday “choirs” by participating in a karaoke Christmas “concert” to welcome in the Holiday season. The musical renditions were captured by our roving photographer in the photo galleries below … made even better without distracting “audio” feedback! Santa finally made a grand appearance direct from the North Pole! Santa appeared “shy” until Grace cured him with some “encouragement”! Santa’s elves passed out the “loot” by providing a gift for each Member and guest.

The Chapter's Holiday Celebration offers the opportunity for Members to enjoy musical entertainment, caroling, karaoke, as well as great food and fun. Make your plans now to join us next year for another wonderful Holiday experience!

View the sponsorship slideshow as displayed at the event in PDF format.

Also be sure to view the photo galleries below to relive the event as captured by our roving photographer.

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Photo Galleries

Cocktail Hour

Introduction of Past Presidents

Holiday Song and Celebration

A Visit from Santa

Chapter Past Presidents (l.-r.) Nick Tedesco, Cindi Rand, Nate Buono, Steve Duess. Kevin O’Connell and John Klimowich are introduced by Past Chapter President Grace Cruz-Beyer.
Chapter President Brian McCourt (l.), Immediate Chapter Past President Andriette Mathews (2nd l.) and Chapter Past Presidents (l.-r.) Maureen Kalena, Jim Montagne and Steve Fusco are introduced by Past Chapter President Grace Cruz-Beyer.
Past Chapter Presidents (l.-r.) Nick Tedesco, Kevin O’Connell, Jim Montagne and Al Fontanella relive history during the cocktail hour.
Past Chapter President Fred Viaud (r.) and Bob Pabst (c.) are joined by a guest at the cocktail hour.