ABOVE: Left to right: Colts Neck Cares founders Virginia Marshall and Patricia Ronca stand with Bella McGovern’s mother Bethany Link, as they join the Event Committee members Abbey Feiler-Kober, Stephanie Cudney, Debra Brey, Mary Weir of Pacific Encore Performances, and Tara Buss.
Left to right: Kay Brown, Reverend Scott Brown, Reverend Jeff Knol, Jamie Knol, Stacey and Morgan Savage share in the Benefit for Bella.
Abbey Feiler-Kober and her husband Thomas Kober of Colts Neck enjoyed the event for Bella McGovern, hosted by Colts Neck Cares.
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wo Colts Neck residents Patricia Ronca and Virginia Marshall established Colts Neck Cares after learning about Bella’s condition and the toll it was taking on both her and her family. Bella’s mother Bethany Link is her full-time caregiver. “I have the greatest kids,” said Link, acknowledging her at-home support system of Bella’s older brother Tate and younger sister Willow. “Bella is just so beautiful and so wonderful,” she said proudly.
Over 100 guests attended the Benefit for Bella and enjoyed cocktails, delicious food, music by Courtney McManus and Mike McKernan, and gift basket raffles. A silent auction featured items that included exquisite jewelry, items to pamper oneself, and sports and music memorabilia, and much more. So many businesses and individuals donated to this event, noted Marshall. “Louis Roros of Sayrewoods Florist graciously did the floral arrangements on our tables,” she said. Carmella Caracappa Photography shared a slideshow she assembled of Bella and her family, as well as candid pictures of Bella. Midway through the event, Ronca addressed the guests thanking them for attending. “Bella McGovern is a beautiful, extremely strong person. We hope to make this a yearly event and to continue
Left to right: Pamela Molloy of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Holmdel/Colts Neck office pauses for a photo with Valerie Schinano and Christine Whelan.
to help Bella.” Bethany Link, Bella’s mother shared, “I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. It is so overwhelming to see how many care who don’t even know us and yet are so generous. It is unbelievable to me and my children that you have been with us every step of the way.” Ronca said, “We want to be there for Bella, who was the inspiration for Colts Neck Cares, and for others in need. There are many people in the community who need help, including older community members who need support.” Noted on the Colts Neck Cares website are ways to support the organization’s cause. It mentions that support can come in a variety of ways, such as monetary donations or providing house goods, services or a home cooked meal. The site stresses that Colts Neck Cares can only be met if everyone works together as a community. Helping to ease the burden of the day-to-day struggles through the help of generous donations and volunteer work is a great start. For more information regarding Colts Neck Cares, please contact Patricia Ronca through email at Pronca75@gmail.com. For more information about Bella and private donations, go to: http://www. bellasbuddies.com.
WWW.COMMUNITYMAGAZINENJ.COM FEBRUARY 2014
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