When Arlene and Maurice “Butch” Lospinoso throw a party, everyone shows up! This past Sunday, despite the blistering heat and humidity, the Middletown couple rallied more than 180 of their closest friends and family to attend their annual “Day at the Races” fundraiser at Monmouth Park Racetrack benefiting FCS. Butch, an avid horse racing fan, and Arlene, a former Chair of the FCS Board of Directors and president of the agency’s Navarumsunk Auxiliary, have been organizing “Day at the Races” for more than 20 years to raise funds for essential FCS programs and services, including protection for vulnerable adults, home care for the frail and elderly and school-based volunteer programs designed to promote childhood well-being. Their efforts have resulted in thousands of dollars in support for the agency.
“We just love this event,” Arlene exclaims! “It’s a great opportunity to gather our friends and family from all over the state, from as far north as Florahm Park to as far south as Tabernacle, to have fun and raise money for an organization that we hold near and dear to our hearts.”
When the couple initiated Day at the Races in 1996, it was held in a smaller room on the parterre level. As the event grew, it graduated to its current location in the park’s expansive Turf room which overlooks the racetrack. The room allows guests to enjoy a seated buffet lunch, place bets at the private betting windows and watch the races all in the comfort of an air conditioned space. (You can view photos from the event in our photo gallery.)
This year’s guest list included FCS board members and their friends and families, the Navarumsunk Auxiliary and former Phalanx Auxiliary, long-standing friends from Arlene and Butch’s early school days, their parish, bridge club and neighborhood, as well as 58 members of the couple’s large, extended family.
FCS CEO Delly Beekman says fundraisers like Day at the Races are an integral part of the agency’s Mission and Vision to strengthen, protect and preserve the dignity and independence of people in need.
“The agency depends on philanthropic support to sustain our programs and services. But events like Day at the Races are also a great way to educate those who attend about the value of our programs to individuals and families in greatest need in our community,” Delly explains. “For that reason, friend raising is as important as fundraising. And I think we made a lot of friends at Day at the Races. We are deeply grateful to those who attended and especially to Arlene and Butch Lospinoso for their tireless support.”
Other upcoming FCS fundraisers scheduled for this year include: the FCS Golf Classic, Monday, July 23rd at Rumson Country Club; The Plein Air Art Show, Saturday, August 25th at Monmouth Beach, Bath & Tennis Club; the Navarumsunk Auxiliary Bridge Benefit,Wednesday, September 12th at Rumson Country Club; and the FCS Leading Lights Gala, Saturday, October 27th at Navesink Country Club. For more information or to receive an invitation to an upcoming event, contact FCS Development Director Diane Gribbin at 732-222-9111 or at dgribbin@fcsmonmouth.org.