Annual Women of Wonder Luncheon Recognizes Four Outstanding Cape May County Community Recipients

OCEAN CITY — Atlantic Cape Community College Trustee Christina Clemans was one of four inspirational Cape May County women who were honored by the Atlantic Cape Foundation and the Cape May County Women’s Commission during the Annual Women of Wonder Luncheon at The Flanders Hotel in Ocean City, NJ on November 14.

Clemans, who has served on the Atlantic Cape Board of Trustees for the past 10 years, was honored along with Deborah Brasch, Amy Mahon and Chaplain Denise Venturini-South.

“Thank you for celebrating the accomplishments of our honorees here today and for supporting students attending Atlantic Cape. Women of Wonder events have raised over $100,000 since 2011,” Atlantic Cape Foundation Executive Director Jean McAlister said. “The Atlantic Cape Foundation provides funding and support to the College, its students and educational endeavors, through special event fundraising and community philanthropy. The Foundation annually awards nearly $700,000 in scholarships thanks to our generous donors.”

This year’s event raised $16,105, eclipsing last year’s $14,150 amount. These funds will go towards providing scholarships for young female Atlantic Cape students who wish to attend college and otherwise may have been unable to afford to do so. Women of Wonder not only recognizes local women for their unselfish and heroic work, it also provides young women with the opportunity to realize their educational dreams and potentially become future leaders in their respective communities.

Currently the managing broker for The Chris Clemans Group at Tim Kerr Sotheby’s International Realty, Clemans, who along with her late husband, David, were founding sponsors of the Cape May Music Festival, Cape May New Jersey State Film Festival and Project Encore for Cape May Stage, was in awe and truly surprised to be receiving such a prestigious honor.

“I want to thank the Cape May County Women’s Commission and the Atlantic Cape Foundation for honoring me with this award. I have attended this event for the past 10 years knowing that the proceeds support scholarships for female students from Cape May County who attend Atlantic Cape and I never imagined that I would get this award,” said Clemans. “It’s truly a privilege and an honor to stand together with Deborah, Amy and Denise. These amazing women of wonder and all of the past recipients who are here today continue to dedicate their time, energy, talent and support for our communities.”

Brasch, who is the executive director for Caring for Kids, a nonprofit that provides Cape May County residents with in-home parenting education, child developmental and health screenings, monthly “family time” meals, a fatherhood program, special needs support group and food pantry, thanked her past mentors for cultivating her potential and believing in her abilities.

“When I take time to think about what this award means to me I think back to all of the wonderful mentors that I have had over the years. Mr. Daniel Money saw potential in me when I was just a teenager. I was a young teen mom and he guided me in the direction of working with families,” said Brasch. “Another wonderful mentor I had was Maria DiGiacomo, who fought for women’s rights, was inspirational in getting the College started in Cape May County and she also went to the freeholders to have the Women’s Commission started.”

Mahon, who is partner and chief operating officer with Reich Asset Management, echoed Brasch’s sentiments regarding the importance of mentoring the next generation of difference makers in the community.

“I would encourage all of you, if you have the opportunity, to mentor someone because you never know the lasting impression that you might make on that person,” said Mahon. “I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had over the years and I think it’s important to remember that no matter what you do it’s important to surround yourself with people who love and support you, which I am very lucky to have so many of those people with me today.”

Venturini-South is the founding director, president and chief executive officer of Cape Hope, Inc., a homelessness crisis intervention organization that was established in 2015 to help Cape May County residents who were homeless or those at risk of losing their home. She and her husband, Christopher, have also traveled to Poland and Ukraine to assist at refugee centers.

“We believe we are called to care for the poor. We are the instruments that extend compassion and kindness to those in-need. Let us not forget the faces of those who struggle because they deserve our attention, empathy and action,” said Venturini-South. “We must be the hands that lift the hearts that heal and the voices that speak for them. Let us strive with all of our might to make a difference no matter how small. Let us be the change we wish to see.”

For more information, visit the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation at atlanticcape.edu/foundation and the Cape May County Women’s Commission at capemaycountynj.gov/Womens-Commission.

About Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation

Atlantic Cape established the Foundation in 1978 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity to build a broad base of financial support for its programs and services. Foundation members are drawn from local industry and small businesses and represent a broad cross-section of active leaders in the community. The Foundation has raised more than $5 million for scholarships, Foundation operations and to enhance academic programs and the campus environment. Annually, the Foundation provides nearly $600,000 for institutional scholarships, grants and emergency help.

About the Cape May County Women’s Commission

The Cape May County Women’s Commission is dedicated to providing a forum to increase the participation of county women and consulting with other groups and/or government agencies in order to propose programs that foster equality, achievement, and justice. The Commission is passionate about studying the needs, problems, capabilities, interests, and concerns of Cape May County women and girls.