Hometown Hero: Michael Bray
By Cindy Fertsch
Michael Bray, founder and director of Operations of Passion Vines, was only 11 years old when his mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This made a lasting impression on him and he has made it his life’s mission to help those living with MS, both locally and nationally.
“For as much as it happened to my family, it happened FOR my family. We are stronger and more compassionate for it,“ says Bray.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of communication within the brain, and between the brain and body. Within a 10 year period Bray watched his mother’s condition deteriorate, from requiring the use of a cane, to a walker, to a wheelchair. Bray is proud of both the courage and the grace that his mother has shown in the face of this disease.
The Right Notes was conceived in 2012 and just wrapped up its 6th annual event, raising in total just shy of $400,00 for Multiple Sclerosis. It is a wine tasting event and benefits the National MS Society and Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation, supporting people living with multiple sclerosis, right here, in South Jersey.
The event began on a smaller scale, hosted at Passion Vines and in partnership with Nick Regina, President of the Somers Point Jazz Society. The first two years The Right Notes had a major jazz component. Over the years, it has evolved into a large-scale wine tasting, with more than 100 top-scoring wines from around the world.
“The Right Notes has mushroomed out to become a real community event. I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for what it has become, “ says Bray.
Bray is also raising funds for the Community Food Bank as a participant in “Dancing under the Atlantic City Stars,” a large scale single-day fundraiser for the Community Food Bank. Bray, along with other contestants will be showing off his skills and creativity in order to win the most votes as the best dancer and compete to raise the most money for the Food Bank. The event is November 3rd at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. For more information or tickets for this event go to cfbnj.org
A few weeks ago, Bray completed the Cambridge Ironman, 140 miles, full marathon. He dedicated his fundraising for this event to the Community Food Bank also. Bray credits the thought of helping those facing hunger to his ability to will his body to endure and complete the triathlon.
Bray resides in Somers Point with his wife Kimberly and two children, Dylan (9) and Jocelyn (6). It is clear that their father’s heart for giving back to the community is being noticed. At only 9 years old, Dylan is already organizing “Dylan’s Fun Run,” an annual event that raises funding for Shore Medical Center Pediatrics.
Bray serves on numerous business, government, non-profit, and community boards. In 2015, he served as president of the Somers Point Business Association and Chairman of the Somers Point Economic Development Advisory Commission. He is actively involved with Shore Health Enterprises, Inc. (Board of Directors—Vice Chair), Rotary Club of Somers Point, Multiple Sclerosis Leadership Class, and John R. Elliott HERO Society.
