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Jennifer Boyes Brings New Entertainment to The Garden Party
“We’ve always been a family of service.”
Growing up in Long Island, Jennifer Boyes, member of the Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) Board of Trustees and co-chair of The Garden Party, learned about the value of service from a young age. Her grandfather was a fire captain in New York City, and her father was a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
“It’s always something I’ve carried with me – to get involved and step up,” Jennifer said, a former EMT herself. “I just saw it all the time and gravitated towards it. My kids started doing it, too, always looking for ways to get involved and help.”
After traveling the world from Manhattan to New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, and back to New Jersey, Jennifer and her husband settled in Nutley to plant roots and raise their family.
It wasn’t long before Jennifer immersed herself in the community, becoming an active PTO member, where she serves on the Executive Board at Yantacaw Elementary. Her current role as managing partner of Venture Penny Capital allows her to take on ambitious real estate renovations and maintain her commitment to her volunteer roots. She has served as a trustee with The Community School in Nutley since 2018.
Jennifer’s awareness of NFSB began through her children. Her daughter joined the Scouts when she was just 5 years old and was excited to help collect food donations for the NFSB Scouting for Food Drive. Jennifer’s son got involved with The Garden Party when a former trustee and friend mentioned the event, and he asked if he could help. He has volunteered at The Garden Party since Jennifer joined the board in 2022 and will lend his vocal talents at this year’s event!
“We’ve all received help in some way,” Jennifer said. “I want my kids and families in our community to look for ways to serve and help others.”
As a friend and neighbor of Silas Mountsier and Graeme Hardie, owners of the Mountsier-Hardie Garden, Jennifer couldn’t wait to get involved with The Garden Party, which will be held Saturday, September 14 from 4 pm – 7 pm at the Mountsier-Hardie Garden at 205 Rutgers Place in Nutley.
Tickets are just $75 in advance ($85 at the door) and can be purchased through the Garden Party page on the NFSB website. The event will feature an eclectic mix of live entertainment and catering by Mamma Vittoria, with all proceeds benefiting NFSB programs.
Jennifer is excited to bring in the Sebek Tenors to The Garden Party entertainment lineup for 2024. A vocal instructor in Nutley, Christian Sebek has performed in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and a number of high-profile theatre and opera productions. He is joined by his sons, Zachary and Eric, both outstanding vocalists as well.
From enhancing an already strong list of performers and helping publicize the event, to courting sponsors and educating the community about NFSB programs, Jennifer has been a tireless advocate for The Garden Party.
“Although NFSB is an institution in Nutley, there are people in the area who don’t know about The Garden Party or the organization,” Jennifer said. “I’m always having conversations about what NFSB is, how we support the community, and the needs of NFSB as an organization. We have to make sure people in Nutley and surrounding towns are aware that NFSB is a resource if they need help.”
Of course, nothing beats gathering with the community and spending the afternoon basking in the beauty of Mountsier-Hardie Garden, a Nutley treasure that you have to walk through to fully appreciate.
“Graeme (Hardie) is very kind and has taken me on a personal tour of the garden,” Jennifer said. “He points out different flowers and sitting areas and tells the stories and history behind them. I enjoy just having that time with neighbors and friends at The Garden Party and connecting with people at such a beautiful place.”
To purchase tickets, make a donation, see the entertainment lineup, and learn more about sponsorship and volunteering opportunities, visit The Garden Party event page on the NFSB website. We’ll see you at the breathtaking Mountsier-Hardie Garden on Saturday, September 14!
