Foundation taps Girl Scouts as beneficiary of fundraiser

The Charles Lafitte Foundation, which has raised more than $2 million for various New Jersey charities to date, has selected the Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts to be the beneficiary of its fourth annual Charity Golf Classic, which will be held June 5. The classic will include breakfast, a cocktail reception, awards for first, second and third place teams, as well as contests such as longest drive, closest to the pin and hole in one.

According to a press release, Suzanne and Jeffrey Citron, of Brielle, created the family foundation three years ago and named it after one of their beloved dogs. The Charles Lafitte Foundation has changed many lives through the generosity of its founders who may be better known for the telephone company headed by Jeffrey Citron - Vonage.

"The choice of charity recipient every year for the golf classic is very difficult," Suzanne Citron said. "The Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts stood out because of the positive message they instill in young girls. One of the foremost missions of the Charles Lafitte Foundation is to support organizations like the Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts, who play an active role in improving the daily lives of New Jersey youth. In a time where young women face many challenges we never had to think about, we recognize the importance of the work the Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts does."

The proceeds of the classic will go to create an endowment to provide free camperships at Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts' 140-acre Camp Sacajawea, Howell, where Girl Scout troops will enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, swimming and equestrian.

Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts serves more than 12,000 girls throughout Monmouth and northern Ocean counties in conjunction with a group of nearly 4,000 adult volunteers.

According to the press release, the mission of the Charles Lafitte Foundation is to provide for and support inventive and effective ways of helping people help themselves and others around them to lead healthy, satisfying and enriched lives. To fulfill this mission the foundation acts as grantmaker, innovator and volunteer for four main programs: education, children's advocacy, medical research and issues, and the Arts. For more information, visit the Internet Web site www.charleslafitte.org.