TINTON FALLS, NJ - In their continuing effort to help feed some of Monmouth County's hungry, some residents of the Seabrook active adult retirement community took to the kitchen for the fourth year in a row to make more than 100 sandwiches for the organization Bridges at the Shore, which will distribute them to the needy. See YouTube video of effort by clicking this link: http://tiny.cc/5d5mkx
Including today's total, more than 800 sandwiches have been made since this project first began at Seabrook.
Approximately one dozen resident volunteers gathered in the kitchen of the Princeton Restaurant at Seabrook to assemble the turkey and cheese sandwiches before placing them in paper bags, along with apples, bags of chips, bottles of water and a very special form of encouragement. Residents included hand-written notes which were placed in each bag aimed at encouraging each recipient.
Seabrook resident Bev Hausker, who helped develop the program at Seabrook, said, "I became involved when I realized that there are a lot of people who needed a supper and went without one. This is a program that receives no help from the government and is simply people helping people. It is just to help someone get over a hump and give them the basic necessities."
Seabrook Executive Director Art Sparks said, "This project is a great example of the wonderful volunteer spirit at Seabrook. The area that we live in has a strong heart for the needy, including the hungry, and I think that our residents are passionate about helping wherever and whenever they can. This event helps a very worthwhile organization fulfill a need that assists those in the county who are struggling."
The sandwich making project is only one of many volunteer efforts that residents take part in. Last year, resident volunteers worked thousands of hours spending time doing a tremendous amount of work for a variety of groups, including the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean counties, the Tinton Falls Library, Monmouth Medical Center, Jersey Shore Medical Center, Meals on Wheels, Monmouth Museum, Mahala F. Atchison School in Tinton Falls, ARC of Monmouth, Interfaith Neighbors, The Bradley Food Pantry, Visiting Nurse Association, Red Cross, United Way and the New Jersey Special Olympics.
The Bridges at the Shore program provides direct help to needy people living in Monmouth County. Once a month a group of volunteers take a caravan of cars to local towns in Monmouth County to distribute clothing, blankets, bag suppers, toiletries and conversation to those in need. Its aim is to build bridges between people by meeting face to face, offering help and giving encouragement. It is a personal effort to do something immediate to assist those in the greatest need. To learn more about Bridges at the Shore, you can go to their website at: http://www.bridgesattheshore.org/
About Seabrook: Seabrook is one of 17 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living. The scenic 98 acre campus is located in Tinton Falls, New Jersey and is home to more than 1,400 residents. Seabrook is the perfect greater Monmouth and Ocean County retirement destination offering a true sense of community, convenience beyond compare and a sensible financial structure.
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