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Health & Fitness

Laughter and Ugly Christmas Sweaters, Thanks To RAINE

RAINE is a non-profit organization established to assist families in our community primarily during the holiday season.

On Saturday evening there were some out-and-out bad fashion decisions in my home. 

No, I didn't pull out my prom dress from 1995 or force my husband to wear his Middletown North letter jacket from 1992, but our neighbors showed up to our home sporting hideous Christmas sweaters. They were homemade connections with hot glue and sparkles from Michael's and some "just in case" pieces of their wardrobes in case Bill Cosby-style sweaters come back in style. 

Thankfully I was prepared for their appearances and couldn't wait to see them. 

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Two years ago while attending our first RAINE cocktail party, we were lucky enough to win a terrific prize that had been donated by in-house Mixologist from Park East and owner of "Mix and Mingle Bartending," Mark Roman. We had his services for 4 hours for up to 50 people.  Immediately we started thinking about what party we could have. 

If you know my husband and me, the choice was obvious: an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. 

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So last year, we hosted about 10 couples from the neighborhood.  Mark and his wife, who are also our neighbors, provided us with spectacular specialty drinks and our guests had a great time without our kids and laughs at the expense of one another's sweaters!

Fast-forward a week after that party, and again, we were attending the RAINE cocktail party at Jacques Catering and lo' and behold, we won the prize donated by Mix and Mingle Bartending AGAIN!!!! 

Without a doubt, we booked that party on the spot and have been planning and scheming since. 

Now there is a point to all this back history other than flaunting that my husband and I host the best parties around *insert high fives here*.  When I invited my guests I asked they bring a pair of Pajamas in any size to contribute to my PJ drive for RAINE.  It was a win-win situation.

This year, our guest list had almost doubled so of course, we asked our guests donate PJ's. 

With several of our guests on the Board of Directors of RAINE, I didn't really expect as many donations as I assumed they give all year round, but folks, believe me, they aren't all just talk - they donated! 

All of our guests donated brand new pj's and matching extras like slippers, socks and robes for children and adults.

It felt good to host a party in my home that was full of giving. I gave my friends and neighbors a great time with a prize that gave funds to help RAINE provide for our community. My guests were also able to give by donating the pajamas. 

This Thursday, December 8th, is the 10th Annual Cocktail Party at Jacques Catering in Middletown, 7 pm - midnight. Tickets are $50, which includes hors oeuvres, open bar and great entertainment from DJ Cash.

Guests who bring a gift card of $10 or more will be given a sheet of auction tickets. The prizes this year are valued no less than $100/each. There are trips to Disney and Trinidad available. I know I saw some beautiful jewelry as a recent donation. And of course, I will be winning the Mix and Mingle Party again - yes, I will. 

There are rumors of a few surprises for the evening. 

This event is always a wonderful way to give to your community without having to do any "work". You stick tickets in a bucket and win a prize!  Plus you get to dress up....I encourage your ugliest and tackiest of Christmas Sweaters!   

Tickets are still available and the ticket vendors are even willing and able to deliver the tickets straight to your door this week. You can contact Edward Barrett at eddieb65@aol.com Ralph Seber cigar1346@aol.com or rainefoundation.com You can also contact me at ljb_walsh@yahoo.com.

Please don't forget that the TOY DRIVE kicked off on December and is another HUGE important part of RAINE during this time of year. 

While out shopping, there are many BUY 2, GET 1 FREE deals - so use that FREE gift and donate it to the Toy Drive. Donations made left at any Hazlet Public School, Park East on the corner of Holmdel Rd and Route 35 S and at St. Benedict's Church on Bethany Rd in Holmdel. The Christmas Trees at St. Benedict's are affiliated with RAINE, so if you are a parishioner, please grab some requests off the trees. 

And of course, extra hands are always welcomed at Beers St. School the week before Christmas for sorting, wrapping and delivering the donations and gifts collected during the month of December.  Kids are encouraged to help out and will count as community hours for sure.

Our PJ drive is also in full swing with a bin our front steps and our mailbox for Santa is front and center waiting for letters. We accept pj's of all and any sizes.  Remember the older children like warm and cozy pj's too.  Email me for our location. I challenge you and your families this week to come up with a simple idea to help out RAINE too. 

A cookie exchange party that guests are asked to bring a gift card to Target, Walmart, etc?  A food drive around your neighborhood?  A dinner party for your neighbors and instead of bringing you a bottle of wine, have them bring you an unwrapped toy?  It's all very easy and you get to have fun at the same time.

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