YLD Raises Over $5,000 for disadvantaged children at Annual ACBA Holiday Party

Last night, the YLD hosted the Annual ACBA Holiday Party at the Knife & Fork Inn in Atlantic City. Needless to say, the party was a success, with a record-breaking 100+ guests in attendance and over $5,000 raised in ticket proceeds and donations.

The party included passed appetizers and a cash bar, as well as a silent raffle. For those who couldn't make it, you missed out! The passed appetizers included tuna tartare, smoke salmon pinwheels, crab cake sliders with a lobster remoulade, lobster spring rolls, and mini kobe sliders, among many other choices. From the beginning, the booze was flowing as guests mingled with friends and colleagues and many of our own YLD members left with new connections.

Arguably the most popular part of the night was the silent raffle. The YLD was able to secure several massage gift certificates, an original Mazing Art Studio Canvas of the Atlantic City Skyline, a Bagliani Gift Basket, and, the most prized possession of the evening -a MLB Basebal autographed by the one and only Mike Trout, American League MVP of 2014 and local hero. The YLD's own Sal Imperiale, Esq. won the coveted baseball - congratulations, Sal!! And, congratulations to the rest of our lucky guests who took home the many other wonderful prices we had.

All of the proceeds from the Holiday Party will be used directly to fund the YLD's Annual Children's Holiday Party, which provides a full holiday experience for disadvantaged and underprivileged children in Atlantic County who are chosen on a need basis. Prior to the party, the YLD members shop for and personally pick out gifts for the children who are chosen to attend. YLD members also handwrap each gift and decorate the Atlantic County Civil Courthouse, where the party is held. On the day of the Children's Holiday Party, the YLD members work as Santa's elves to make the day magical and memorable for every child in attendance.

The children first get to watch a private magic show by the Magical Chad Juros (the proceeds of his magic show go to the Spread the Magic Foundation) before lunch, which consists of coal fired pizzas, chips, cookies and refreshments. After lunch, Santa arrives to take a picture with each child, which the child takes home, before giving each child a stack of presents. The children have the option of opening their presents at the party before returning to school; however, many students each year decide to wait to open their presents on Christmas morning at home because Santa never visits their house (i.e. they are not given any gifts on Christmas).

The YLD would like to thank all those who attended the ACBA Holiday Party and/or donated to the Children's Holiday Party this year! Thanks to you, the YLD can once again provide underprivileged children with the magic of the holidays that they would not otherwise experience.