Habitat to build vet park

Asbury Park Press
Sunday, October 13, 2013

Volunteers sought for Oct. 26 project
By Anthony Panissidi

Volunteers from Manasquan Savings Bank help Coastal Habitat for Humanity restore a Manasquan home. PRESS FILE PHOTO

NEPTUNE — After superstorm Sandy struck in late October, Coastal Habitat for Humanity widened its mission, which will soon benefit the township’s hopes of building a new park ded­icated to its veterans.

Nearly two decades ago, 10 lo­cal friends founded the organiza­tion to eliminate sub-standard housing in coastal Monmouth County. Since then, the affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Interna­tional has built 15 homes and re­paired roughly 100 homes while touching the lives of countless Jersey Shore residents, accord­ing to its website.

Following Sandy, the Spring Lake Heights-based organization expanded its goals to assist homeowners and communities impacted by the superstorm, according to its website. It will continue that effort when it partners with Asbury Park Press and community volunteers to lay the groundwork for the township’s Veterans Memorial Park during this year’s Make A Difference Day on Oct. 26.

The park will serve as a dedication to township veterans with monuments, flags, trails, paths, flowers, shrubbery and a seating area. It will sit on the site of the historic Welsh Farms Dairy on Old Corlies Avenue, a piece of land acquired four years ago by the township with the project in mind. A museum and community center will replace the farm house. Anyone interested in volunteering to join the day’s effort may do so. If possible, they should bring shovels, rakes, trimmers, sunscreen and gloves. For more information, call 732-6433104, email volunteerinfo@njpressmedia.com to sign-up.

For more than 20 years, Gannett-owned USA WEEKEND Magazine has called upon millions of people across the United States to participate in Make A Difference Day. The publication has rallied millions to participate in the national day of good deeds through its parent company’s hundreds of local sites, and its partnerships with Points of Light and Newman’s Own.

Asbury Park Press furthered the magazine’s effort last year when the newspaper teamed with the Affordable Housing Alliance to help convert an Eatontown property to a group home for adults with disabilities. Contributing: Previously published Asbury Park Press reports.

For more information, call 732-643-3104 to sign-up.