(PHOTO: JOSEPH J. DELCONZO, SPECIAL TO THE PRESS)
Participants walk the street in Lavallette during The Tone Foundation's event to raise money to defeat breast cancer.

Published on Asbury Park Press on 08/6/07

BY MICHELLE SAHN
STAFF WRITER

LAVALLETTE — Antoinette "Tone" Agliata of Manahawkin is a 12-year breast cancer survivor, so four years ago, her son and daughter-in-law decided to start The Tone Foundation to raise money to fight the disease.

On Sunday, more than 700 people came to the foundation's walk here, where Agliata handed out ribbons. Preliminary figures indicate the foundation raised more than $21,000, said Antoinette's son, Robert Agliata.

The walk started at The Music Man, an ice cream shop on Grand Central Avenue owned by Robert Agliata and his wife, Josephine Sessa-Agliata.

Walkers headed north, through the business district, and then to the boardwalk before going back to the shop for ice cream, said Robert Agliata, who along with his wife and their 14-month-old son, lives in Colts Neck during the winter and spend summers in Lavallette.

Robert Agliata said he and his wife, who both come from large families, started the foundation as a way to get the whole family together for a walk during the summer. The first year, about 375 people walked. Each year, the event — always held on the first Sunday in August — has continued to grow, he said.

They have partnered with the Municipal Alliance of Lavallette, the American Cancer Society, and a number of other businesses and community groups, including the Lavallette Heritage Community and Merrill Lynch, which both donated money for T-shirts, and Diane Turton Realtors, which donated water bottles.

Representatives from Community Medical Center in Toms River were also on site to perform blood pressure checks, while employees from Jazzercise of Toms River helped walkers warm up and stretch before the event.

Local police and beach patrols also were on hand.

"It's overwhelming how many people (participate)," he said. "A lot of people have now made this their vacation week in Lavallette, and that's really outstanding."

Over the last four years — including this year — the foundation has raised more than $68,000, he said. Most of the money is donated to American Cancer Society, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, but last year the group also contributed to the cancer unit at Community Medical Center and it will likely do the same this year, he said.