Big Night for the Graybeards

They sure do clean up nice! The gentlemen of local nonprofit The Graybeards and many other locals had a grand time at their biggest fundraiser of the year—the annual Graybeards Dinner Dance.

On Saturday, February 4, all gathered at the Rockaway Hotel for a night of charity, appreciation and an all-around good time. This year’s honorees included Lynda Collins, who was presented with the Don “DH” Hart Award for her many years of service to others throughout the Rockaway community. The DeMatteis family was awarded the Tom Ryan Special Recognition Award for their many years of philanthropic endeavors throughout the peninsula. “Both honorees had a huge turnout with many family members and friends on hand to celebrate the evening,” Graybeards President Tom Morgan said.

The evening also included a presentation of a $35,000 check, plus an all-expenses paid dream trip to Disney World for the Tan family, as a result of donations collected from the Stockings for a Cause effort. And the Tans weren’t the only big winners.

The coveted Pot o’ Gold 50/50 raked in a $300,000 jackpot that went to one lucky local, and to the Graybeards so they can continue the great work they do for the community. “The fundraiser was a huge success, and it will allow The Graybeards to continue to help those in our community in their time of need,” Morgan said.

Photos by Jessica Woods.