Page 2 - 2021 MCCCI BookletNewCoverVersion

History of the
Monmouth County Cotillion Committee
In 1949, Leon and Florence G. Hayes moved to Red Bank,NJ where Mrs Hayes was raised. The couple was soon involved in social and community betterment activities. Mr. Forrester A. Lee was the Executive Director of the YMCA Westside Branch at the time - Mr. Hayes joined its Board of Directors and Mrs. Hayes became a member of the Y’s Womens Auxiliary.
The Y was in the midst of a fundraising campaign to acquire a building on the West Side of Red Bank. Mrs. Hayes approached Mr. Lee with the idea of a Cotillion fundraiser. Mr. Lee endorsed the idea as did the Y’s Women’s Auxiliary at their September meeting. Mrs. Hayes then formed a core group including Mrs. Katherine Wormley, Mrs. Bessie Smith, Mrs. Margaret Mann, Dr. & Mrs. James Parker, Sr., Mrs. Alice Parker, Mrs. Lucille Moore, Mrs. Madge Williams and Mr. Leon Hayes. The group met consulted with Mrs. Lillian Sharp-Hunter of the Amsterdam News in New York City who advised them in planning a solid fundraiser.
The first Monmouth County Cotillion was held on April 28th, 1950 in the Asbury Park High School auditorium before an audience of about 500 people. In 1954, the Cotillion was moved to Sea Girt Inn and in 1955, the Cotillion ball took place in Convention Hall in Asbury Park.
On May 19, 2019, MCCCI is proud to celebrate the 69th Monmouth County Cotillion Ball returning to our roots at the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, NJ.
Mrs. Florence Hayes ignited a flame that has burned for over 69 years - brighter today than ever.