HOLMDEL – The Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund will host its annual Toast to Dennis from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the riverfront home of Kim and Ron Jaeger in Rumson.
Guests can take part in live and silent auctions. “We will also have an exciting reverse auction for service dogs that will become invaluable partners to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome or traumatic brain injury,” said Marion Zilinski, mother of Dennis and co-founder of the fund. “Studies have shown that service dogs can help these severely wounded heroes resume the daily activities, which they enjoyed prior to sustaining these damaging combat injuries.
“We have already donated numerous service dogs, which come to us through K9s for Warriors, to area veterans –several of whom are from New Jersey – and we hope to raise additional funds to provide dogs to even more veterans in need,” she said.
The donations raised through the wine and food event will benefit the fund, which was created and founded in 2006 in order to honor local resident U.S. Army 1st Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II, who was killed in action Nov. 19, 2005, while deployed in Iraq.
Tickets are $150 for the event.
Sponsorships and contributions are still available for the live and silent auctions. Additional volunteers are still welcome.
Reservations and additional information are available by contacting event planner Christine Burke Eskwitt at 732-688-8079 or cburkeassociates@comcast.net.
Additional information about the organization is available at www.runwithdennis.org.
All proceeds raised on behalf of the fund are used to support programs that assist wounded soldiers and their families, and to provide scholarships to Zilinski’s alma mater, Christian Brothers Academy in his name.
Donations may be sent to: Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund, PO Box 35, Holmdel, NJ, 07733.
