To All Monmouth Chapter Members, Community Partners, Sponsors and Friends,

          On Saturday evening, December 6th, 2025, the Association of the US Army (AUSA) Monmouth Chapter held it’s 13th Annual Gingerbread Ball in the Sterling Ballroom of the Hilton Doubletree Inn in Tinton Falls, NJ. All proceeds from this annual Black-Tie Charity Gala support the Fisher House Foundation. The Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes (similar to Ronald McDonald houses) adjacent to major military hospitals. This enables family members of service members and veterans who are being treated at these hospitals to stay at these comfort homes free of charge and be near their loved ones to provide moral support. Over the course of the past 20 years, our chapter has raised over $2.5 million for the Fisher House Foundation.

          This year’s event was particularly outstanding. Our honorary chair, USMC Staff Sergeant (Retired) Joey Jones, a host on Fox News, provided video-taped welcome remarks that were inspiring. David Coker, the President of the Fisher House Foundation, attended and served as the guest speaker, providing a wonderful insight into the Fisher House Foundation. The Jazz Lobsters, as usual, provided the entertainment and had the crowd jumping. 210 people attended, including soldiers, ROTC cadets, veterans of all services, AUSA members, local business people, and local officials. All had a great time enjoying the cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing throughout the evening. And most significantly, we raised $60,000 for the Fisher House Foundation through sponsorships, donations, and beautiful auction items.

          Thank you to our partners, the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Greater Monmouth Chapter, the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Jersey Chapter, The Eatontown Industrial Park Association (EIPA), and Inspired Foods LLC. Thank you to Ms. Sue DiVila and Ms. Meagan Solomon, our Gingerbread Ball Co-Chairs, and their outstanding committee. And thank you to all of our generous sponsors.

          Together, we made a great event happen for a great cause.

          Please visit the following link to view pictures taken by Mr Russ Meseroll of Meseroll Photography, a Monmouth Chapter Community Partner:

https://russmeserollphotography.pixieset.com/gingerbreadballdoubletreehotel/

Best Regards,

Ed Thomas

President

Association of the US Army (AUSA) Monmouth Chapter

732-829-1460 (Cell)

ect0203@gmail.com