Post Tagged with: "Jeff Allen"

Comedian Jeff Allen Headlines ACS Legacy Gala on May 12, Helps Raise Funds for Tuition Assistance Grant Fund

Comedian Jeff Allen entertained an audience of over 300 people as the headliner at Atlantic Christian School’s 7th Legacy Gala on Friday, May 12 at the Ocean City Tabernacle. The Gala and a Silent Auction held at the event, along with the May 16 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament, helped raise funds for the school’s Tuition Assistance Grant Fund. The events together netted $31,000 for the fund that since 2017 has provided tuition discounts to hundreds of qualified families in need to give them access to a Christian education for their children.

Allen began his career in 1978 and has entertained audiences around the world. He has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Comedy Central, Pureflix, Dry Bar Comedy, Apostles of Comedy, in films like “Thou Shalt Not Laugh,” and more. Allen’s second book, “Are We There Yet,” is due for release this coming September.

“Mr. Allen has been making people laugh for five decades and he certainly lived up to his reputation,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “Many of us in the audience appreciated his humorous perspective on everyday life situations and we were laughing until we cried.”

After performing his comedy act, Allen was presented with a thank-you gift from ACS — an original drawing by ACS 11th grader Ryleigh Martin that illustrated Proverbs 16:24 –“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.”

The evening’s program began with 12th grader Daniella Ajayi welcoming the audience to the Gala and offering an invocation. Chief School Administrator Oblen then came forward for a special presentation to the Dye Family to thank them for partnering with ACS to create the Tuition Assistance Grant Fund in 2017. She presented the Dyes with a framed photo of the Ocean City Music Pier, where several ACS concerts were held in the 1990s when Bob Dye was the ACS choir director.

Oblen said that over the past six years, the fund has provided a tuition discount for nearly 580 students from over 430 new and returning families — giving out a total of nearly $940,000 in aid.  For the coming school year, Oblen said ACS expects to award at least $217,000 from the fund to benefit 142 students from 117 families.

“We are so thankful for the Dye family’s passion for Christian education and their decision to partner with our school to make this vital Tuition Assistance Fund a reality,” Oblen said. “We want to continue making ACS affordable for families who are seeking a Christian education for their children; that’s what you’re supporting by being here tonight.”

Following the presentation to the Dye family, the 23-member Middle School Worship Team, led by staff member Kelly Flynn, gave an uplifting performance of Cory Asbury’s “The Father’s House” and Hillsong Worship’s “New Wine.”

12th grader Cruz Lewis then introduced Allen, remarking that his life story was inspiring — not only for Allen’s outstanding accomplishments as a comedian, but for his courage to share his journey of transformation — from being an atheist and involved in drugs and alcohol — to becoming a born-again Christian.

During his remarks at the Gala, Allen touched on the experiences that led to his conversion to becoming a Christian in 1997 — describing it as a 7-year journey that began on the first day that he became sober.

“Our job is to show up and to seek, like Jesus says, just knock, and He’ll answer. It doesn’t mean today, tomorrow, or next week, but in time,” Allen said. He noted that the journey to faith will result “in a peace that you never knew could exist.”

After Allen’s performance, 12th grader Sam Glancey shared from his heart about how he has been blessed to be a beneficiary of the Tuition Assistance Grant Fund for the past six years. Lisa Dye, a member of the ACS faculty from 1997-2020, then spoke about the purpose of the fund and encouraged those in the audience to join her and her family in making a donation to the fund.

The Gala program concluded with 11th grader Ryleigh Martin giving a solo performance of “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship and Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz delivering a benediction.

Prior to the Gala Program, sponsors and other supporters attended a delicious appetizer and dessert reception catered by Elite Fleet and had the opportunity to meet Jeff Allen and pose for a photograph. The Silent Auction, spearheaded by staff member PJ Santos, was also open during the reception and attracted friendly competition among more than 70 items up for bid.

Photo credits: John Loreaux

 

 

Buy Your Tickets to Attend Our May 12 Legacy Gala with Comedian Jeff Allen

Iconic comedian Jeff Allen will be the headliner at Atlantic Christian School’s Legacy Gala on Friday, May 12 at the Ocean City Tabernacle in Ocean City, NJ. The benefit event is open to the public and will raise funds to support Atlantic Christian’s financial aid program.

Allen has entertained audiences around the world and has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Comedy Central, Pureflix, Dry Bar Comedy, Apostles of Comedy, in films like “Thou Shalt Not Laugh,” and more.

“Laughter is good medicine and Mr. Allen has been making people laugh for five decades,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen. “We’re very excited to be bringing Mr. Allen to share his quick wit and humorous perspective on situations that come out of everyday life. It’s sure to be an enjoyable evening for the whole family.”

Oblen said the proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the school’s Tuition Assistance Grant Fund, which since 2017 has been providing tuition discounts to hundreds of qualified families in need to give them access to a Christian education for their children.

The doors at the Ocean City Tabernacle will open at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:15 p.m. A Silent Auction with entertainment, sports, and destination experiences, dining and shopping gift certificates, gourmet food baskets, and more will be part of the Gala event.

Ticket prices start at just $55 and groups of 10 or more will get a discount. There is also a VIP Experience for $150 where ticketholders will receive premium seating, have a meet and greet with Jeff Allen, and enjoy an appetizer and dessert reception, which will start at 5:30 p.m. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available. Sponsors will also enjoy the benefits of the VIP Experience.

Tickets, sponsorships, and ads to the ACS Legacy Gala 2023 can be purchased online at ACSEHT.ORG/LEGACYGALA or by calling the school at 609-653-1199, ext. 302. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets, sponsorships, and ads.

 

Announcing Two Spring Fundraisers — Legacy Gala & Golf Tournament — Ticket, Registration Site Now Open Online

ACS is excited to announce two big fundraisers coming this spring — our Legacy Gala: An Evening with Comedian Jeff Allen on May 12 at the Ocean City Tabernacle and our Cougar Classic Golf Tournament on May 16 at McCullough’s Emerald Golf Links in Egg Harbor Township. The online site is now open to purchase tickets, be a sponsor, or register to golf. Both events will benefit the ACS Tuition Assistance Grant Fund.

There will also be a Silent Auction at the Gala.  There are $55 and $75 general admission tickets to just attend the Gala program, which will feature our headliner, Christian comedian Jeff Allen. There is a discount on General Admission tickets for groups of 10 or more. For those buying a $150 VIP Experience ticket or donating to be a Sponsor, there will be a Meet-and-Greet and photo opportunity with Mr. Allen and a Celebration Reception with gourmet appetizers and desserts. All seating is reserved and all tickets must be purchased online with iTickets.

The May 16 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament will get underway with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start and will conclude with lunch and an awards program. The golfer fee for an individual is $150 and a foursome is $560. There are also sponsorship packages and combo packages for those who would like to attend the Gala and participate in the Golf Tournament.

Proceeds from both fundraisers will benefit our Tuition Assistance Grant Fund, which provides families with needs-based tuition assistance. This fund enables many families each year to have access to a Christian education for their children.

“Our Tuition Assistance Grant Fund has enabled many families each year to have access to a Christian education for their children and we encourage our school families and friends in the community to help us grow this fund by attending one or both of these events,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen.

CLICK HERE to buy tickets, be a sponsor, or register to golf or go to https://acseht.org/galagolf/