Giving Back
By DANIELLE SANTOLA
January 2, 2019
LIVINGSTON, NJ — After surviving a ruptured aneurysm and fully recovering without the permanent damage that is common among survivors, 20-year-old Livingston resident Justin Gelman immediately knew he had to use his second chance at life to help others who face similar situations. Gelman, whose ...
BELMAR, NJ — Thanks to an extremely generous community, the Clothes Closet in Belmar is brimming with all the essentials for keeping warm this winter. Coats, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, flannels, shoes, hats, gloves … you name it and you’re sure to find it in the shop — and in every size and ...
SPOTSWOOD, NJ — The third annual Operation Cookie Swap is in full drive, mobilized to bring holiday smiles to active and nonactive military families in the greater Spotswood area. Operation Cookie Swap is sponsored by the SSG Michael Ollis Freedom Foundation and Amici’s Bakery in Monroe. The ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Several hundred volunteers gathered at the Hillsborough YMCA on December 1 to help the Rotary Club of Hillsborough and Operation Shoebox New Jersey assemble 1,000 personal care packages that will be shipped to U.S. troops deployed overseas. Several veteran organizations ...
ELIZABETH, NJ — Union County Freeholder Rebecca Williams recently presented a resolution to Jennifer Popper of Plainfield, congratulating her on walking more than 800 miles from Union County to Maine over the summer to honor her late husband, Michael, and to raise awareness of the East Coast ...
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A caring message and a few simple pleasures from home can make a big difference to our service men and women serving abroad. That is the underlying mission of Operation Shoebox New Jersey, a Hillsborough-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing U.S. troops ...
FREEHOLD, NJ — A collection drive is under way through November 15 to support the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund, a local organization that is looking to brighten the holiday season for U.S. military members serving overseas. The drive, which is seeking donations of food, personal care ...
OCEAN GROVE, NJ — Mary's Place by the Sea, a respite home for women undergoing cancer treatment, has partnered with Belmar-based Playa Bowls for a fundraiser in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During October, Playa Bowls customers can support Mary's Place by ordering the "Playa Pink ...
BELMAR/LAKE COMO, NJ — Since Kathleen Cunningham lost her brother in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11. 2001, she has dedicated herself to making sure he is never forgotten. And for the past six years, she has had an entire team behind her to help. Now more than 400 ...
BELMAR, NJ — For a collective total of 220 years, the Belmar Fire Department and Belmar First Aid Squad have been serving the community. And every summer for as long as anyone can remember, these volunteer emergency responders conduct fundraising drives to help in their missions to serve and ...
LAKE COMO, NJ — The 16th Annual Fallen Heroes 5K Memorial Run — to remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 — will be held on Saturday, September 8 along the banks of Lake Como. Presented by the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA), the race will ...
BELMAR, NJ — “What most people do not realize is when you are diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, you still have hope, dreams and plans for a bright future just like everyone else. Disabilities, physical or mental, do not interfere with those aspirations in life, and they certainly do not interfere ...
LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, NJ — There is an inspiring story behind the recent 10th Annual Coquina Jam, a women’s team surf competition and fundraiser that benefits David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation. The foundation's leadership wrote the following letter of gratitude to the surfing contest ...
BELMAR, NJ — An afternoon on the links and an evening of enjoyment is on tap for the Circle of Friends-HYDAS annual golf outing on Tuesday, July 17 at Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune. Traditionally the largest fundraiser for the all-volunteer organization, the outing will feature a round ...
BELMAR, NJ — Every Monday and Thursday morning like clockwork, the “Food Pantry/Clothes Closet” sign is placed outside at the Seventh Avenue entrance of the Belmar Community Center. Inside, a small corps of volunteers stands ready to welcome anyone who needs a bag of groceries, an outfit for a ...
TINTON FALLS, NJ — A.J. Perri is back helping veterans in need — this time launching a search for veterans and their families through a partnership with ABC-TV. As part of the A.J. Perri Cares program, a lucky New Jersey veteran and their family will receive air conditioning/heating relief this ...
BELMAR NJ — The Beach Music Rock Band always lives up to its name — the operative word being “rock.” On a sleepy Sunday afternoon yesterday, the group of young musicians sent a jolt of energy through the second-floor taproom of the Beach Haus Brewery in a three-hour performance ruled by rock ‘n’ ...
BELMAR, NJ — Mention Fran Hines’ name anywhere in Belmar and there is certain to be someone there who knows him — whether it was when he worked for the borough’s public works department or for his ongoing volunteer service with the Belmar First Aid Squad. But in recent years, Hines is becoming ...
LAKE COMO, NJ — The Mama Mare Foundation will host its eighth annual De-Feet Breast Cancer 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, April 21 in Lake Como, with all proceeds to benefit breast cancer patients and their families. “We offer a Hair to Heal program, which covers the costs of wigs for patients whose ...
SOMERVILLE, NJ — The Easter Bunny emptied the jelly beans, chocolate and decorated eggs from his basket yesterday and replaced the traditional contents with pairs of socks destined for U.S. military personnel overseas. The Easter Bunny — aka Felix Ciattarelli — traveled from Raritan to ...
BELMAR, NJ — Belmar’s beloved “Doughboy” will soon be leaving town. The 88-year-old statue will be removed from its base in Memorial Field and transported about 45 minutes away westbound to the Seward Johnson Atelier in Hamilton, where it will be repaired — nearly a year after a fundraising ...
LAKE COMO, NJ — For more than 40 years, Harvey Keyes has been known for giving his all to Lake Como. He’s most notably known in this close-knit community for being a member of the South Belmar First Aid Company, serving as its captain numerous times during his volunteer service. An avid ...
LAKE COMO, NJ — Tom and Teresa Meehan threw a special kind of party at Bar Anticipation yesterday afternoon. They thanked the many first-responders, neighbors, friends and others who helped them in their greatest time of need — when a fire devastated their Lake Como home last month. “This is ...
BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Hamilton Primary School in Bridgewater held its annual Valentine's for Vets program, with hundreds of students sitting down to create personalized Valentine's Day cards that will be shipped to U.S. troops deployed around the world by Operation Shoebox New Jersey. The nonprofit, ...