March 2018

A Review of The FAST Committee in 2017 By Kristy Winchock, Morris Engineering

C AI-NJ’s young professionals group, the Future All Star Team (FAST), was inducted as an official CAI Committee in 2017. FAST’s first year as a committee was a busy one, with either a networking event or fundraising initiative almost every month. In 2017, we held networking Meet Ups to encourage young professionals to get involved with CAI. This year, we are planning humanitarian-based Meet Ups, such as a day volunteering at a local foodbank or helping out with Habitat for

notebooks, backpacks, pens, pencils, etc. that helped countless students in the Long Branch School District. In July, Fast Committee hosted the 3rd Annual CAI Olympics. Proceeds collected through sponsorships, partic- ipants and spectators were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of NJ. During the event, Larry Thomas volunteered to shave his head for addi- tional donations. Following the CAI Olympics, FAST presented a check for over $6,800 to the Make-A-Wish

Humanity. Keep your eye out for more information and dates for these events on our Facebook page and CAI email blasts. We hope that you will join us for networking with industry professionals while helping our local communities. FAST also organized two Event Drives that, through the help of CAI members, turned out to be huge successes. During the Spring Break Party, our Food Drive collected 660lbs of food, translating to 550 meals donated to the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Our School Supply Drive held at the Beach Party, collected numerous

Foundation at their Wishing Place in Monroe, NJ. With the amount of money donated in 2017, FAST was able to fully fund a child’s wish. We are excited to receive the details of the wish granted and provide everyone with an update. We were informed by Make-A-Wish that with the money donated in 2016, we were able to help fund a 4 year-old girl’s wish to go to Walt Disney World. FAST held several additional fundraising initiatives throughout the year, totaling about $12,600 raised for various charities, including:

• Red Nose Day, supporting chari- ties such as Boys & Girls Club of America and Save the Children, $500 • POAC Autism Services, providing support and training to families affected by Autism, $400 • Hurricane Harvey Relief, ben- efitting the Houston Foodbank, $2,250

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(left) The CAI-NJ's FAST Committee at the CAI-NJ Olympics in 2017. Following the event, FAST presented a check for over $6,800 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

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Courtesy CAI-NJ.