Northern New Jersey's business community benefits Bergen county. (New Jersey).

Temperatures approaching 100 degrees set the stage for the fifth annual Bergen County Golf Classic, held on July 29 at the renowned Ridgewood Country Club. The event, which benefited the Volunteer Center of Bergen County and Bergen County's United Way, raised $64,595 -- a record number -- drawing a capacity crowd of 160 golfers.

Partnering 10 encourage both civic and corporate involvement in the community, Bergen County's United Way and the Volunteer Center of Bergen County provide corporate volunteer programs, sponsor the Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council, and publish a biannual catalog of volunteer opportunities -- the "Hands On Guide to Volunteering."

"This Bergen County Golf Classic continues to evolve as one of the best of its kind in the region, defined by strong support for two critical Bergen County services, and a rewarding day of networking and golf at one of New Jersey's most challenging and beautiful courses," noted Donald P. Eisen, event chairman and executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield of New Jersey, Inc. "The Golf Classic is a first-class endeavor all around, and we look forward to repeating its success again next year."

Corporate sponsors for the 2002 Bergen County Golf Classic included Architectural Window Manufacturing, Deutsche Bank, Fleet Bank, and many others.

"The Volunteer Center and United Way are thrilled with the outcome of this year'sevent, which raised substantial funding to help us not only maintain, but also expand the infrastructure required to support volunteer efforts in and around Bergen county," said Amanda Missey, director of business volunteer services and assistant executive director of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. "The corporate support reflects the caring, philanthropic nature of the region's business community."