The Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees is proud to announce that Family Fireworks on the Navesink will return on Thursday, July 3, hosted by the DiPiero Family. The annual event, which features a brilliant fireworks display over the river and an exclusive celebration for event sponsors, has enthralled the community for more than a decade, and will raise money to benefit enhanced emergency care for the community.
The hospital’s Alton A. Hovnanian Emergency Care Center is undergoing a transformation to address the increasing demand for specialized emergency care. The project, which is currently underway and slated to finish in 2028, will bring more than 40 patient rooms and treatment bays to the hospital, and will create dedicated spaces for trauma care, diagnostic imaging and a secured crisis unit.
In addition to seeking event sponsors, new this year, the Foundation is seeking to partner with neighboring residents along the Navesink, and all who enjoy the fireworks display on July 3, to become Ambassadors for Riverview, by making a donation and hosting a fundraiser at their own celebrations to support this effort.
The Dirscherl Family, who reside along the river edge, are proudly serving as the first Ambassadors, and encourage others to do the same.
“For many years, my family and friends have enjoyed watching the spectacular fireworks along the Navesink,” said Dan Dirscherl, a trustee of Riverview Medical Center Foundation. “We’re proud to help Riverview provide world-class health care while supporting a stunning display of fireworks. I ask my neighbors to join me in donating or hosting their own fundraiser for this worthy cause.”
“We are thrilled to continue this tradition of providing a family-friendly event for the community while raising funds for a vital cause,” said Kenneth Esser, interim president and chief hospital executive of Riverview Medical Center. “We’d like to thank our event committee for their dedication, and the DiPiero Family for once again serving as gracious hosts for this special event. Their generosity allows us to host this wonderful effort to improve the world-class health care at Riverview by funding a much-needed expansion of our emergency department.”
The fireworks display will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. after event sponsors and guests enjoy a full dinner buffet and fare from food trucks at an exclusive celebration. Public spectators can enjoy the show from various locations along the river, or by boat near the Oceanic Bridge.
“It’s always a great time to come together to celebrate Riverview Medical Center and raise money to support the critical projects there that truly make a difference,” said Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACHE, FACEP, president of the Acute Care Hospital Division of Hackensack Meridian Health. “This year, we’re especially excited to support the reimagined Alton A. Hovnanian Emergency Care Center, which will play a huge role in the health of our community going forward. We’ve already made incredible progress in our expanded oncology services, which bring life-saving care to so many people. We thank the DiPiero Family and all of our sponsors for their support of this worthwhile cause.”
“Riverview Medical Center is proud to support our community when people need us, and we’re excited to see donors come together to help us expand our services,” said Maria Maher, board chair for Riverview Medical Center Foundation. “Philanthropy plays a huge role in allowing us to grow with our community and provide for the needs of our friends, our family members and our neighbors.”
In addition to the event's generous hosts and sponsors, Maher credits the success of this crucial fundraiser to the Family Fireworks committee, which is comprised of trustees, physicians and community members. "I am grateful for the hard work of our dedicated committee, spearheaded by co-chairs Denise DeAngelis and John Maggiacomo, who are also trustees of Riverview Medical Center Foundation,” she said. “This is truly a team effort."
The event's Fireworks Sponsors include: The Cooper Voccola Family Foundation Inc. & PrivaMedis Concierge Medicine. The event’s Title Sponsors include: Compass Healthcare, Cullen Capital Management, The Dirscherl Family, Eberg Capital, The Hesse Companies, Jones Day, ZAIS Group, LLC and Builder’s General Supply Company.
“Family Fireworks on the Navesink presents an incredible opportunity to enjoy a memorable evening while helping to invest in the health of our community,” said Marisa Medina, MCIS, CFRE, executive director of Riverview Medical Center Foundation. “We're grateful for our sponsors, ambassadors and event committee for believing in the collective power of philanthropy!”
All funds raised from the event will directly benefit Riverview Medical Center, a not-for-profit hospital, while helping Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation grow closer to its $1 billion fundraising goal. Launched in September 2024, Be The Difference is a transformational effort focusing on four key pillars: enhancing the delivery of patient care, accelerating groundbreaking research and discovery, expanding access to care for all and revolutionizing medical education while supporting the nursing profession. Through this ambitious campaign, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation aims to reshape health care for patients, clinicians and the communities it serves, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future.
Tickets to the exclusive Family Fireworks on the Navesink event are required and can be purchased at GiveHMH.org/RMCFireworks. To sponsor the event or for other event inquiries, please contact Amy Emenuga, manager of Strategic Events, at amy.emenuga@hmhn.org or visit GiveHMH.org/RMCFireworks. To support the event as an Ambassador by hosting your own fundraiser, visit GiveHMH.org/RiverviewHostYourOwn.