March 19 Event Benefits People with Cognitive and Physical Disabilities in

Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset and Warren Counties

RARITAN, N.J. (February 3, 2010) – Affinity Federal Credit Union and Kevin McMurtry, Founder and CEO of Advanced Health Media, will be honored during the Alternatives, Inc. 23^rd  Annual Dignity Gala to be held on March 19 at Dolce Basking Ridge. They were chosen as honorees for their achievement and commitment to the community.  Alternatives is a non-profit organization providing residential, employment, and support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illness and other special needs. 

A Basking Ridge resident, McMurtry is the Founder and CEO of Advanced Health Media, LLC, a pharmaceutical technology and marketing services company created in 1999.  With more than 650 employees and offices in 3 countries, AHM is the industry leader in field sales logistics technology and commercial compliance solutions for the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.  During the past 10 years, Advanced Health Media has been selected an Inc. 500/5000 company four times and has been twice named New Jersey’s Finest and the Fastest Growing Business in New Jersey by NJ Biz magazine.  Kevin McMurtry was chosen as the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Business Services in New Jersey in 2006.

“As the son of Alternatives trustee, Patty McMurtry and Gerald McMurtry, a member of the Alternatives Advisory Committee and a former Gala Chair, Kevin grew up with talk of Alternatives around the dinner table,” said Alternatives Board Chair Linda Olson of Somerville. “When Kevin established his own business he also established a long relationship with Alternatives in his own right.  He has been a lead sponsor of the Dignity Gala and Alternatives for years.” 

Affinity Federal Credit Union, New Jersey's largest credit union, is a member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution with 18 branches throughout northern and central New Jersey with more than 130,000 members from more than 2,000 businesses and organizations.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, Affinity Federal Credit Union has been offering superior financial services with a member-oriented focus since 1935.

“Affinity Federal Credit Union has been a financial lifeline for Alternatives staff for years,” said Alternatives President Nancy Good.  “In addition to offering outstanding benefits, Affinity routinely provides the agency with financial education on topics that have included planning for retirement, saving for college and home buying seminars, to name a few.”, so we could not have chosen a more deserving corporation than Affinity Federal Credit Union.”

The Dignity Gala will be held on Friday, March 19 at Dolce Basking Ridge. The agency will celebrate its achievements with a cocktail reception featuring passed hors d oeuvres, gourmet stations, open bar, dancing and casino play where attendees will exchange their winnings at the gaming tables for prizes including golf outings, vacations, tickets to sporting events and gift certificates to restaurants and other venues. A cash raffle will also be held.

Headquartered in Raritan, Alternatives provides services in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset and Warren Counties. Reservations, sponsorship opportunities and raffle tickets are still available. For additional information, please contact Anita Feiner at (908) 685-1444 ext. 226.