Red Bandanna Award to be Presented to FHRMA & RWJUHS at Bonnie Brae Tartan Ball

Bonnie Brae to Honor Far Hills Race Meeting Association and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset Partnership with Red Bandanna Award at February 29th Tartan Ball
On February 29th at the 34th Annual Bonnie Brae Tartan Ball, Bonnie Brae and the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust will honor The Far Hills Race Meeting Association and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset Community Health Partnership with The Red Bandanna Award, for their commitment to Bonnie Brae as well as to four other non-profit organizations committed to promoting and improving healthcare in the region. In addition to being honored, the FHRMA and RWJUHS Community Health Partnership has also stepped forward as the Title Sponsor of the February 29th event, deepening their investment in support of Bonnie Brae and of the youth and families that will benefit from the event.
The Far Hills Race Meeting Association celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year, and in that time has given more than $18 million to support local health care organizations. They have partnered with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, an RWJ Barnabas Health facility, to invest in the advancement of community health services in the region.
Through this partnership, $885,000 has been awarded to five non-profit organizations including Bonnie Brae, Community in Crisis, The Arc of Somerset County, Cancer Support Community and Lifecamp, all of which serve northern Somerset County and are committed to making a positive impact for youth and families. The funds, which will be disbursed over the course of three years, are provided through proceeds from the Far Hills Race Meeting Association and are administered through Somerset Health Care Foundation, the hospital's fundraising arm. In addition, the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset will support the organizations through professional training and development, community health education, support groups and other health care services.
Funds from this partnership are supporting therapeutic space at Bonnie Brae's newly opened Osborne Family Resource Center. This incredible building includes a new Admissions area, large holistic rooms for families to gather, private spaces for Bonnie Brae’s clinical team to engage families in therapy, and large training space for staff and community members. This wonderful addition will allow Bonnie Brae to maximize positive growth and progress for youth and families. Additionally, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset is working with the Bonnie Brae Health Office to provide professional training and development.
Bonnie Brae CEO Paul Rieger states, “The Osborne Family Resource Center is extending Bonnie Brae’s dimension of care. Young men are being received into treatment with utmost compassion. We have the space to engage Bonnie Brae families and families from the surrounding community about the challenging issues of today, including mental health, addictions and trauma. All are areas in which Bonnie Brae has amassed expertise through its 100 year history. We will continue to be a model for the holistic comprehensive treatment for at-risk youth and families and become a significant new resource for the community at-large. The Far Hills Race Meeting Association has been a great supporter of our work and we are thrilled and so grateful to be partnering with them and with RWJUHS in advancing our common goal of creating stronger, healthier families and communities.”
Bonnie Brae and the Far Hills Race Meeting Association both have deep roots and history in the community, and have synergized their partnership the last several years. Bonnie Brae youth residents have helped with set-up and clean-up of the FHRMA’s annual event at Moorland Farm and the FHRMA has generously offered key sponsorship of Bonnie Brae’s Tartan Ball. Guy Torsilieri and Ron Kennedy, FHRMA Chairmen state, “Bonnie Brae is a fabulous organization doing great work. The Far Hills Race Meeting Association Board is very excited to support them and their endeavors. The partnership with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset allows us to further grow and strengthen the outstanding work they are already doing to help at-risk youth.”
Tony Cava, president and chief executive officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset adds, “At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, we recognize that promoting good health is not confined to just what goes on within the walls of our hospital. Our partnership with the Far Hills Race Meeting Association has helped build new relationships that will enhance the health of underserved populations in our community. We are proud to partner with Bonnie Brae in their efforts to transform the lives of young people in our community and provide support and resources for their professional team.”
Alison Crowther of the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust will be presenting this year’s Red Bandanna Award to the FHRMA and RWJUHS partnership. This prestigious award was established in 2008 by the Crowther family in honor of their beloved son, Welles Remy Crowther, a volunteer firefighter and equities trader who, on September 11, 2001, lost his life saving others. The mission of the Trust is to assist young people to become exemplary adults through education, health, recreation and character development. The Bonnie Brae Red Bandanna Award was created in the spirit of Bonnie Brae’s mission and is presented to an individual or group who has shown initiative and dedication in support of children in need.
One Giant Leap, Moondance, the 34th Annual Bonnie Brae Tartan Ball will be held on Saturday, February 29th, 2020 at The Park Savoy in Florham Park. It will feature an incredible basket auction, a jewelry raffle presented by Simms Jewelers, as well as a spirited Live Auction conducted by Nick Dawes, VP of Heritage Auctions. To view additional event details or to purchase an ad, tickets or sponsorships, please visit www.bonniebraetartanball.org.