200 Club awards $109,000 in scholarships to children of first responders

The 200 Club of Monmouth County awarded $109,000 in college scholarships to 97 children of first responders last night during their annual gathering at Bar A in Lake Como. Each student is the dependent child of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder who resides and works full-time in Monmouth County.

Former Lt Governor Kim Guadagno, said , “This is our way of giving back to the many men and women that give so much to our community as first responders. To date, the 200 Club of Monmouth County has provided more than two million dollars in scholarship aid, and we are very proud of our commitment.”

“It’s an honor to receive this scholarship because of my father’s dedication to his work and this community as a police officer,” said Ryan DeSane, a 20 year old junior studying finance at the University of South Carolina.

The 200 Club of Monmouth County was founded by Bill Wingard and other Monmouth County philanthropists in 1987 when each pledged an annual donation of $200. The 200 Club is dedicated to providing financial assistance to the families of our public safety and rescue personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. This includes, but is not limited to, police officers, firefighters, and first aid and EMT technicians of Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Community support allows the 200 Club of Monmouth County to continue the mission of supporting our public safety personnel and their families in times of line of duty loss. The organization is governed by officers who serve a two-year term and a Board of Trustees. It is a 501(c)3 charitable organization with about 1000 members. To find out more, become a member, or make a donation, please visit our website at www.monmouth200 club.com.