MONMOUTH COUNTY – A total of 58 students from 50 first responder families in Monmouth County were awarded $99,000 in college scholarships from The 200 Club of Monmouth County.
“These scholarships allow The 200 Club of Monmouth County to fulfill our mission of giving back to law enforcement in Monmouth County. We are honored to assist these deserving families who give so much to our community as first responders,” said Benjamin J. Lucarelli, the President of The 200 Club of Monmouth County.
“To date, The 200 Club of Monmouth County has given out $3 million in college scholarships… which is just amazing! The scholarships are funded by the dues which our members pay. We distribute these scholarships to express the appreciation of Monmouth County citizens for the sacrifices the families of first responders make to keep us all safe. It is our way of saying thank you,” said Josh Elkes, Scholarship Committee Chairperson of The 200 Club of Monmouth County.
One of this year’s recipients is Jenna McCarthy who is a junior at the University of Georgia. Her father Stephen McCarthy was the Police Chief of Red Bank and died in 2013 after a battle with cancer.
“It really is such an honor that The 200 Club still finds me eligible after he passed away, just because I grew up in the Red Bank Police Department and they just had a really big role in making me the person I am today. To be able to still continue that legacy and still be recognized by that community after he passed away is really, really special to me,” Jenna said.
Another scholarship recipient is Saniyah Hughes who is an incoming freshman at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her father, Jeffrey Hughes, was a Sergeant in Asbury Park and recently retired from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
“This scholarship means a lot because college is expensive but necessary, and this will be a big help,” Saniyah said.
“All three of my children received scholarships, and The 200 Club is incredibly supportive of law enforcement and their families,” Jeffrey added.
All scholarship awards are given to qualified students who are a dependent child of a full-time, employed first responder who resides and works in Monmouth County. Recipients must also be full-time undergraduate students at an accredited institution of higher learning. At least one parent must also be an active member of The 200 Club of Monmouth County.
