Morristown’s first October weekend proved to be quite the victory for two local charity events; Cocktails for a Cause and Making Strides at the Tavern. Two very different charities both drew significant crowds, donations and fun!

What do you get when you take 200 young professionals and give them a complimentary open bar of Belvedere Vodka on a Friday night? A fantastic opportunity to raise money and awareness for Project (Red). “Cocktails for a Cause” held at the new Morristown hot spot, UPtown, was an energetic event that supported the Global Fund that works to eliminate AIDS in Africa.

What better way to give back to the community! The more you drank, the more money donated. Simplest charity I’ve ever been a part of! Of course, the members of New Jersey Young Professionals (NJYP) knew how to keep it classy and toasted the night away with their fellow friends and members. Laura Occipinti, founder of NJYP, teamed up with John Oliver and Dan Leto of R&R Marketing to create a great night out for a great cause. Plus, who doesn’t love getting dressed up to sip a few cocktails?

I hope you don’t think Friday night’s event was the end of the festivities mixed with philanthropy! Making Strides at the Tavern created quite a buzz around town for the past several weeks and Saturday’s charity at Tavern off the Green was well worth the hype! Morristown residents, Michael Everhart and James Graver, began this fundraiser last year in honor of a mother and sister, both lost to breast cancer. Thanks to the 150 guests, amazing raffles and music by Hammond, this year’s event was amazing! I was even able to do my share by selling raffle tickets and meeting so many great people all while raising over $3,000. Never thought I’d see a slice of pizza sell for $100 either!

So, Morristownians, great job this weekend! Over 300 of us came together and made this world a little better. Whoever says a night on the town isn’t beneficial to others, hasn’t attended a local charity event lately! Keep your eyes peeled for more fun events with a mind toward doing good for others.

And stay posted for more of my reviews of the Morristown social scene as I keep fluttering about the town.

To learn more about Project(red), go to www.joinred.com

Want to make a donation to Making Strides? Click here!