Brother and Sister Team Organize Fundraiser for Seal Group 6

Dean Brabant and his sister Robyn Shalit want to help, and for them, that means doing the one thing they know they’re good at  - entertaining.

The brother and sister team and East Brunswick High School Class of 1988 graduates have been singing and performing for much of they’re lives, including years on end at , where their parents, Joan and Rene Brabant, were long time members.

“The thing is, my sister is a singer/song writer, and I grew up playing,” said Brabant. “My mom was on the ladies auxiliary there, and I still have memories of the post, so I had some connections, and we’re into fundraisers a well.”

So it seemed like a natural fit when Brabant and his sister wanted to do something for the members of Navy SEAL Group 6. On Sunday, Oct. 8, the two will hold a comedy night fundraiser at the post, located at 485 Cranbury Road, to raise money for special gift packs to send to members of the SEAL Group. The packs will include a memorial plaque, a special poem, and a tribute DVD titled “Here’s to You,” performed by Robyn Shalit.

The Seal team lost 15 members of its grop in Afghanistan on Aug. 6 when a helicopter was shot down by a Taliban-fired rocket-propelled grenade.

The Saturday evening event features the comedy of Father Guido Sarducci of Saturday Night Live fame, and music by Sportin’ Goods of Spotswood, Bob on Keyboards and DJ Bob.

Admission is $20 and includes an evening of comedy and an Italian buffet.

“VFW Post 133 is a special place in our hearts due to the beautiful memories that we feel fortunate to have been a part of ever since we can remember,” said Shalit. “We are simply passing along a priceless gift that our parents gave to us before they passed on.”

During they’re childhood, Shalit and Brabant spent many hours at the post entertaining people there and helping to organize food and entertainment.

“My dad was in the service and we hung out, that was our Sundays and our Saturdays and we’d go as a family and hang out, and we happened to be entertainers,” said Brabant. “We just took that rout e, and we’d start playing while we hung out there.”

Shalit said the post has given must to her family over the years. She recalls a time in 1987 when she was Junior Miss New Jersey and she needed help making the wishes of three Make-A-Wish children come true.

 “The VFW Post 133 donated the grounds along with everything possible to help make the event successful,” she said.  “Mom and I spent six months generating sponsors for food, entertainment and decorations, and the funding needed to provide the three lovely children whose lives were threatened their last wish. As excited as we were picking up the children and their parents in stretch limos, our tears fell down like waterfalls all the way to the event as we learned about their pain.”

For tickets and more information call Dean Brabant at 732-360-0180 or VFW Post 133 at 732-254-9674.