Jersey City Councilman, Two Other Hudson Men in
Bachelor Auction Benefit for Gilda’s Club Northern New Jersey
FROM: The Marcus Group Contact: Overlook at Great Notch, 150 Clove Road, Little Falls, NJ
Kaitlyn Sweeney (973) 890-9590
Immediate Release – November, 2009
HACKENSACK, NJ – A crowd of 150 ladies had a wonderful time vying for their chance at a date with one of 21 eligible gentlemen at Gilda’s Club Northern New Jersey’s (Gilda’s Club NNJ) first annual Bachelor Auction. The October 22 event – held at the sold-out Crowne Plaza in Englewood – was the first such auction for Gilda’s Club NNJ, with all proceeds benefiting the Hackensack-based cancer support organization.
Among the bachelors up for auction were Jersey City Councilman Steven Fulop; Bayonne resident James Dugan Jr., a New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) official; and attorney Mike Yellin of Hoboken. The men ranged in age from 25 to 61, with each winning bid receiving one of a fabulous array of dates including tickets to Jets, Nets and Giants games; Broadway show tickets; an Empire State Building tour; gift cards to local restaurants and comedy clubs; and more.
Dugan Jr. said he was thrilled with the turnout. “I had a great time participating, and I cannot wait to go on the date,” he noted of his planned trip to see Jersey Boys December 10. “I’m so glad to have been a part of this fun and exciting auction. Truly, everyone had a wonderful evening.” The 28-year-old serves as director of business development at the NJMC.
Fulop also called the evening a big success. “Gilda's Club is a great cause, helping families that are affected by cancer. The auction was fun,” he added, “and I am always happy to embarrass myself for a good cause.” Fulop was elected to the Jersey City council in 2005 at the age of 27, making him the youngest elected official in the city. Now 32, he works in the financial services industry, and has served in Iraq with the Marine Corps.
The bachelors also included Hoboken resident Yellin, 26, an associate at the law firm of Cole Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard in Hackensack.
The event was emceed by Joan Rivers impersonator Gary Dee. A Rivers impersonator for the past 26 years, Dee appeared alongside his idol on the last episode of the Donald Trump TV vehicle Celebrity Apprentice. Prior to that, Dee performed for 16 years in a revue of La Cage aux Folles. He has performed in Miami, Las Vegas, London, Toronto and Aruba.
A comedy fundraiser the following week for Gilda’s Club NNJ was the most successful fundraiser in the organization’s history, bringing in more than $150,000. “Ladies of Laughter” featured nationally known performers Lisa Lampanelli, Sunda Croonquist and Cory Kahaney -- all volunteering as a tribute to pioneering comedienne Radner. “Ladies” was hosted by New York Friars Club president Freddie Roman.
The series of recent successes by the cancer-support group has proven a great satisfaction to all involved with Gilda’s, said Ruth Dugan, who was elected Gilda’s Club NNJ board president in June. She reflected this week on what this surge of new energy has meant for the Hackensack clubhouse, which nearly was forced to close its doors just last fall due to lack of funding. “We’re so appreciative of all the hard work by our members and volunteers, and for all the generous contributions by donors over the past year,” said Dugan, a former board member of Bayonne Medical Center who became chairperson when the hospital was in bankruptcy and presided over its financial stabilization. “This wonderful organization can continue to grow and provide a wider array of psychosocial services for people with cancer and their loved ones all over northern New Jersey.”
About Gilda’s Club Northern New Jersey:
Gilda’s Club Northern New Jersey is a cancer-support community serving 12 counties in North Jersey as well as southern Rockland County, and is part of an international network of affiliate clubhouses anchored by Gilda’s Club Worldwide. All services at the Hackensack-based clubhouse, from lectures and workshops to support groups and social events, are open to anyone – men, women, children and teens – who has been touched in any way by cancer, and are completely free of charge. For further information or to make a donation, visit http://www.gildasclubnnj.org or call (201) 457-1670.