‘Jersey Guys’ Virtual Trivia Recap
Manufacturing Community Comes Together for a Little Fun and a Great Cause
The ‘Jersey Guys’ golf outing recap will be a little different this year as NJMEP canceled the traditional golf outing and replaced it with ‘Jersey Guys’ V-irtually Yours, online trivia day, in response to COVID-19.
‘Jersey Guys’ is an annual celebration of Bob Beaman and Anthony DeSantis. These two ‘Jersey Guys’ spent their lives giving back to New Jersey communities. The event usually takes place on a Friday in July where New Jersey business leaders are invited to the Minebrook Country Club for an all-day event filled with prizes, activities, food, and of course golf. NJMEP partners with the Team Eagle Foundation and uses this event to raise money for scholarships in honor of these two ‘Jersey Guys’. Proceeds are split between scholarships and the Community Foodbank of New Jersey and Fulfill NJ.
Remaining Agile to Continue Giving Back
The State of the State of Manufacturing was canceled in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. NJMEP put their heads together to ensure the same wouldn’t happen to the annual ‘Jersey Guys’ golf outing.
Early on it was unclear if the state would allow 100+ golfers to attend a golf outing in late July. Instead of sitting back and waiting to see what happened, a new concept was pitched to ensure money would still be raised for these incredible scholarship funds and New Jersey food banks. During times of crisis, these charitable initiatives become even more important. As unemployment rose and millions of Americans were out of work, the entire NJMEP team made it their mission to put together a successful, COVID-friendly event to raise money in the name of these two incredible ‘Jersey Guys’.
A virtual option was developed. NJMEP hosted a virtual trivia day with New Jersey-based questions in its place. There were 18 ‘holes’, or questions, that were each sponsored by a ‘tee box’ sponsor. Videos were scattered throughout the trivia game where players could learn a little bit about some of the sponsors or interesting new initiatives from NJMEP.
You can watch some of the videos, below:
1-Minute Teaser – ‘Unsung Heroes’
Video Description: NJMEP worked with Andy White, brother of Sally White, NJMEP Director of Business Development to produce a true New Jersey manufacturing anthem. The result was ‘Unsung Heroes’. A song that recognizes the people that keep manufacturing moving forward here in the Garden State. Watch the 1-minute teaser video, above. The full version will be released on Manufacturing Day 2020. Manufacturing Day takes place on October 2nd this year so be sure to save the date!
Experience Manufacturing
Video Description: NJMEP is hosting a summer job program in 2021. Manufacturers can reach out to info@njmep or call 973-998-9801 to save their company a spot and get access to a pool of driven high school students interested in a manufacturing career.
Movers and Shakers
Video Description: Collaboration between groups like Team Eagle Foundation allows NJMEP to give back even more to the local community. See how NJMEP is working to create the manufacturing workforce of the future.
‘Jersey Guys’ V Gives Back in a Big Way
The massive success of ‘Jersey Guys’ V-irtually Yours means more money to give back to the NJ Community Foodbank, Fulfill, and the scholarship fund.
Howard Mcilvaine, VP of Operations of UNEX even won the $2,000 drawing but immediately told NJMEP to donate the money to the Community Foodbank instead.
‘Jersey Guys’ V raised over $17,000! An incredible success during a year where uncertainty was the only certainty. $6,000 was split between the New Jersey Community Foodbank and Fulfill. The rest of the funds were added to the Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund helps support two extraordinary programs, ‘The Anthony DeSantis ‘Service to America’ Scholarship’ and the ’Bob Beaman B-Involved Scholarships’.
‘The Anthony DeSantis ‘Service to America’ Scholarship’ is reserved for active duty, veterans, and their families to pursue higher and/or technical education.
The ‘Bob Beaman B-Involved Scholarship’ is reserved for LEDR Alumni, Young Adult Staff & Boys & Girl Scouts.
During difficult times, food banks are under incredible pressure to help feed an increasing amount of New Jersey citizens in need. Many of those that rely on community food banks are children. ‘Jersey Guys’ V was a fantastic contributor to these amazing food banks. Not counting the contributions from ‘Jersey Guys’, NJMEP and its partners have raised a total of $34,628 so far in 2020. The additional donations will provide even more meals for hungry New Jersey families and children. Instead of canceling the event, NJMEP was committed to remaining agile and figuring out a way to bring the community together to give back. ‘Jersey Guys’ V-irtually Yours was a glowing success.
All these efforts wouldn’t be possible without a partnership with Team Eagle Foundation. The goal of the Team Eagle Foundation is to provide learning opportunities and programs to youth and young adults aged 15-20, helping develop themselves through different career options and public service while building new friendships and experiencing adventures of a lifetime.
The Two ‘Jersey Guys’ Being Honored
Bob Beaman
Bob grew up and lived in Madison, NJ most of his life, and became a successful IT & Hardware Engineer. His key activities outside of work included sports and the Boy Scouts of America where he spent 37-years as an adult leader helping develop programs like the Strategic Youth Mentoring Program called LEDR.
Anthony DeSantis
Anthony (Tony to friends) was born and raised in Hoboken but later moved to Bergen County to raise his beloved (5) daughters with his wife, Lynn. A career in Business Development & Marketing led him to his passion at NJMEP, where he helped countless companies over his 14-years of Service.