RARITAN, N.J. (February 21 2011) – Alternatives, Inc. will honor the Berlin family and their business, Video Corporation of America, for their long-standing devotion to the agency’s mission of assisting those with special needs to reach their highest level of independence and integration into the community. "It has been a privilege to have the support of the Berlin family throughout the years. They truly believe in what we strive for here at Alternatives and to honor them at the Gala is only fitting," said Nancy Good, Alternatives, Inc. President.

Al & Dolores Berlin became involved with Alternatives 24 years ago when their son, Alan, an alumnus of Watchung High School, became a client. Wanting to get a better feel for the agency, the Berlins attended their first Dignity Gala in 1987. While there, Al & Dolores met members of the Board of Trustees and realized they wanted to become more involved in the organization. Al first joined the Resource Development Committee while Dolores served as a member of the Gala committee for many years. Later, Al joined the Board of Trustees where he has served for the past 23 years. Throughout this time, VCA’s team of employees, vendors, and associates stood by the Berlins and supported people with special needs by donating to Alternatives.

Al Berlin is a Rutgers’s Alum and former Army helicopter pilot who was stationed in Germany. After the military, he worked for Johnson & Johnson for several years and in 1972, Al founded Video Corporation of America. He worked out of the basement of his New Brunswick home across from Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. As the company grew and needed more space, VCA moved first to Edison and finally to its present home in Somerset. VCA also has additional offices in New York City and Pennsylvania.

Al established a foundation of hard work, open and honest dealing with clients, vendors, and employees, which became the core of VCA. In 1987, Al's vision and efforts were amplified when his son, David, joined the company. David, a graduate of the University of Maryland, used his degrees in accounting and computer science, combined with his experience working in diverse roles at both a fortune 100 company and a small software company, to develop their current business. This unique set of experiences and skills set the stage for VCA’s pioneering role in open-platform computing for both the professional video and presentation markets.

VCA played a pivotal role in the transition of video from reel-to-reel recorders to video cassettes, DVDs, and all the way through today's streaming technology which can be delivered wirelessly to your phone, Ipad, or TV. Over the years, VCA has installed systems for use in nearly every type of application imaginable including: the cockpit of a fighter jet, to Network Operation Centers used for national security, to smart classrooms and entertainment venues, through video conference rooms in fortune 100 companies, local law offices, and homes. VCA is very proud that as technology changed over the last 40 years, so too did VCA. In fact, VCA was the first integrator in the country to install systems which allowed video to be digitized to a personal computer.

Some of the more notable jobs VCA recently completed include: the Comcast Center, the Jewel of Philadelphia, the new Goldman Sachs building in Manhattan and the North Lawn Building of the United Nations - which seats 3,000 delegates who can listen to any one of 178 languages interpreted in real time. VCA has been a part of the Professional Systems Network, Inc., a premier network of audiovisual and broadcast communications systems integrators for nearly forty years and Al is a member of the International Communications Industries Association.

Over the years, David, and his wife, Margie, have assumed a greater role in the family’s commitment to Alternatives. David has utilized his resources to help produce professional and appealing agency videos and Margie currently sits on the Dignity Gala Committee. The Berlin’s commitment to the community goes beyond Alternatives as well. They are active with their temple, the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce, the Somerset County Business Partnership, and from 2005-2010, Al sat on the Foundation Board for Raritan Valley Community College.

Alternatives, Inc. will host its 24^{th Annual Dignity Gala on April 1st, 2011, at Dolce Basking Ridge. The night is set to include a 90 minute cocktail reception, a gourmet dinner, an open bar and dancing. A horse racing theme allows those in attendance to place bets on actual recorded races and later exchange their winnings for prizes such as golf outings, tickets to sporting events, and gift certificates for dining and shopping. A cash raffle will also be held.}

Reservations, ad journal space, sponsorship opportunities, and raffle tickets are still available. If you would like additional information about the Dignity Gala, please contact Anita Feiner at (908) 685-1444 ext. 226, or visit our event page at: ^{http://alternativesinc.givezooks.com/events/dignity-gala.}

Headquartered in Raritan, New Jersey, Alternatives, Inc. provides services in Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset and Warren Counties. For information on Alternatives, Inc., please call 908-685-1444 or visit ^{www.alternativesinc.org}