The New Jersey Loves Its Youth gala featured a performance by All Stars Talent Show Network grand prize winners “Skillsmatic.” (l. to r., Kevin Manasse, Carlos DosSantos, Jimmie Lovell).

More than 275 All Stars young performers, DSY graduates and adult supporters filled NJPAC on Monday, March 8th to celebrate the fourth annual “New Jersey Loves Its Youth” gala benefit, which raised $418,000 for the All Stars Project’s New Jersey programs.

Thelonious Monk III

A Gala Celebration of Growth
The gala evening began with two dozen formally-attired youth hosts escorting guests to a reception in NJPAC’s Chase Room for a special benefit performance by jazz great Thelonious Monk III. The dinner and awards ceremony was held in the lobby of Prudential Hall, where guests looked out onto a twinkling urban landscape.

Gloria Strickland and Bob Pickett

The program was hosted for the second time by KISS-FM’s Bob Pickett and All Stars Director Gloria Strickland who donned the red vests worn by all All Stars Talent Show Network volunteers to introduce three special youth performances created especially for the gala.

The evening’s fundraising success underscored the growing support for giving more of New Jersey’s inner city youth a chance to benefit from the All Stars high quality programs. The All Stars corporate partners – including companies from the pharmaceutical, Wall Street, consumer electronics and insurance industries contributed more than $150,000. The gala committee proved to be a true fundraising powerhouse, securing a record level of support for the All Stars youth development programs.

All Stars vice president Bonny Gildin, who directed the gala sales effort, praised the spirit of the team. “The commitment of our honorees and Gloria Strickland’s effectiveness in changing the lives of Newark’s kids provided special inspiration. The success of the gala guarantees a great year for youth development in New Jersey.”