The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently held its annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk along the Jersey shore, raising more than $835,000. More than 8,000 walkers took part in the 5K noncompetitive walk. Proceeds will be used for ACS research, education, advocacy and patient and family services.

The FirstEnergy Foundation recently provided a $5,000 grant to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties to support a culinary job skills training program. The foundation is funded by FirstEnergy Corp., parent company of Jersey Central Power & Light. The training program helps participants qualify for jobs, and a chance for participants’ families to achieve self-sufficiency.

The Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts, Howell, was recently awarded $50,000 by OceanFirst Foundation, Toms River, for the council’s $3 million capital campaign, the first in its 42-year history. The grant will be awarded over two years, and help provide funding for the new activity center, athletic fields, basketball courts, equestrian center and infirmary on the council’s campus in Howell. For more information about the capital campaign, call the council at (732) 938-5454, ext. 52.

The fitness club WOW! Work Out World with 38 locations worldwide, recently awarded a master license to Alex Moisescu of Wojian Sports Development Company, LTD, the People’s Republic of China, with the new facility opening next month in Dalian, China. The clubs offer services such as basketball, racquetball, and chiropractic services. Local WOW facilities are in Middletown, Freehold, Brick, Tinton Falls, Red Bank and East Brunswick.

Family Resource Associates (FRA) of Shrewsbury was recently named a Microsoft accessibility resource center (MARC), one of only 26 designees nationwide. The FRA’s TECHConnection program is equipped with new video demonstrations and accessibility tutorials that show how to make computing easier, more convenient and more comfortable. FRA and TECHConnection programs offer services to children and teens with disabilities, and families. For more information, visit www.frainc.org or call (732) 747-5310.

The Brookdale Community College Foundation has announced the creation of the Kristoffer P. Anderson Endowed Memorial Culinary Scholarship Fund at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown. The $750 annual scholarship fund was created by family and friends of Anderson, a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, and the Culinary Education Center of Monmouth County, Asbury Park. The scholarship is available to a student in the associate’s of applied science degree in culinary arts. The recipient will be chosen by the Anderson family. For more information, call the Foundation at (732) 224-2286.

The New Jersey Shore Builders Association (NJSBA) is now accepting submissions for its third annual Fabulous Achievement in Marketing Excellence (FAME) Awards, with submission deadline Dec. 1. The awards honor the “best and brightest” in the business community. New award categories include Best Multi-media Presentation, and Best Mid/High-rise Community.”

The FAME awards gala, “A Night With the Stars,” will be held Feb. 23 at the Grand Marquis, Old Bridge. For more information, call the NJSBA at (732) 364-2828 or visit www.shorebuilders.org.

Christine Amato, Ocean, has been promoted to vice president at Atlantic Horizon Financial Services, Tinton Falls. Amato will oversee management of the office, compliance, and recruitment and supervision of financial representatives. Prior to her promotion, she was manager of finance, processed client services, and was liaison for new business development.

The board of directors at the Monmouth Center for Vocational Rehabilitation (MCVR), Eatontown, recently appointed Russell Anderson, Wall Township, as president and CEO, and Karen Cosenza, Hightstown, as vice president/controller. Anderson is responsible for the overall operations at MCVR. He joined MCVR in 1997. Prior to being named president, he served as director of employment services, vice president of operations, and COO. He serves as president of the Tinton Falls Rotary Club and is a member of the Monmouth/Ocean Development Council.

Cosenza joined MCVR in 1996 as the office manager and purchasing agent, and was named controller in 2000 and secretary/treasurer of the board earlier this year. She has been active in all fundraising efforts since joining MCVR. Cosenza attended Middlesex County College.

Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey recently submitted several nominations to the New Jersey State Senate. Local nominees are:

Mary Pat Angelini, Ocean, for reappointment to the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse;

Ronald J. Riccio, Little Silver, for reappointment to the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force;

Renee Becker Swartz, Rumson, for appointment to the New Jersey State Library Advisory Council; and

Michael D. Beson, Ocean, for appointment to the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council.

Ladacin Network, Wanamassa section of Ocean Township, recently received a $6,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation. Ladacin received the grant following submission of a request for proposal through Verizon Connects: Technology Grant Awards. The grant will be used to purchase augmentative communication equipment for adults with developmental disabilities and multiple physical disabilities who participate in the Ladacin vocational training program. Ladacin — formerly Cerebral Palsy of Monmouth & Ocean Counties Inc. — provides educational, therapeutic, social, residential and support services to individuals with developmental or multiple physical disabilities.