In our series Jersey Benefits, Cal & TaraJean travel across New Jersey discovering the amazing people who give back to their community.

This segment called “Take What You Need” is filmed in Union Beach and Belmar.

Amongst the rubble of Union Beach, we discovered a family who has opened up their home to help those in need.

The O’Hea Family and their three children, along with many volunteers, work tirelessly to create a place where neighbors can come for coffee, to charge their phones and find something warm to wear. They have stocked donated supplies in their front yard making it accessible to anyone who stops by.

In Belmar the town’s volunteers band together to help gut homes, replenish needed home goods, and provide meals to families who are still struggling with rebuilding their homes.

Singer Michael Grant had written and song called “Our Town”. Michael says it is “a tribute to all my friends on the Jersey Shore. 100% of all proceeds received from downloads of this song will go toward helping those affected by Hurricane Sandy!”

All proceeds from the sale of his song “Our Town” go to “Hurricane Sandy Helping Hands”, A grass-roots organization dedicated to helping the residents of NJ repair, rebuild, and restore their lives. Visit his website for more information www.michaeltgrant.com.

Please contact tarajean@njdiscover.com if you have a story you would like us to share.

All Sponsors for the Jersey Benefits TV Show please contact tarajean@njdiscover.com

NJDiscover – We are a Production Company, Website Magazine and Cable Television Show. We specialize in TV commercials, Website Commercials, Events and Reality Shows.

Aidan’s Voice is a non-profit organization created by a young boy, Aidan Benavides, 14, of Marlboro, who was a victim of bullying in Middle School.

After many years of being bullied for his interests in music and the theater, Aidan finally reached a point of no return. After a heartbreaking incident at his school, Aidan recognized that without the support of his family and close friends he would not have been able to handle it.  Realizing that there are many people who might not be as fortunate to have a shoulder to lean on, Aidan decided to create a website and Facebook page for kids of all ages to come for help. He offered his time and his support to all who reached out to him in their pain and crisis.

If you visit his website www.aidansvoice.com , you can read his mission statement. Creating a place on the Internet where kids can feel comfortable sharing was just the foundation for Aidan’s task. This undertaking led to the discovery that there are so many schools that do not have the funds to provide support programs that will help create positive changes with their students. Thus began the many fundraisers Aidan has organized this past year.

NJDiscover joined a group of students and families at Thompson Park in Monroe for a walk-a-thon organized to raise funds for Aidan’s Voice.

In this video, we gave Aidan and his High School peers the opportunity to talk and express their opinions about the changes they hope to make in their world.

Produced by TaraJean Vitale, NJDiscover

Hurricane Sandy may have been strong but New Jersey proves it is stronger!

NJDiscover Team TaraJean Vitale and Calvin Schwartz attend local benefits organized by many to help raise funds for the devastated communities of the Jersey Shore.

Homes and businesses were hit with the power of Hurricane Sandy. Many lost much more than they could ever imagine. The response to help the victims has been enormous.

At the American Hotel in Freehold Synergy Event Planners Wendy and John Bruzzese along with the American Red Cross rallied their friends, colleagues and local business together to support a toy drive that would be “the biggest toy drive ever!”

In West Windsor the volunteer Fire Department and First Aid Units along with SandAid created a coffeehouse cabaret style benefit to help raise funds. Bands performed throughout the day while kindhearted strangers from all over the East Coast dropped off supplies for those suffering from the terrible storms after effects.

The overwhelming response has been emotional for volunteers. United and Jersey strong, the community is rebuilding thanks to the help of so many.

This is the first of a Series: Jersey Benefits for NJDiscover.com, and NJ Discover TV

Produced by TaraJean Vitale

Song: “Because I Love You” Written by Kevin John Allen, Performed by Brianna Eve

NJDiscover’s FoodBank video shown at the Restore the Shore Concert Series on Thursday at the Strand Theater in Lakewood.
Proceeds from the concert went to the FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties.
For every $1 the FoodBank provides 3 meals.

In the United States:

• In New Jersey:In 2008, one in seven households (14.6%) in the US were food insecure – over 49 million people. This means they did not have access to enough food to meet their basic needs.¹
• This includes almost 17 million children.
• In 2005, nearly one in five US children lived in homes earning at or below the Federal poverty level (17.2%).²

• The US has the highest wage inequality, wealth disparity, poverty rate and child poverty rate of any industrialized nation.³

• The very high cost of living makes it difficult for low-income people to make ends meet. While the Federal poverty level for a family of four has become $20,650 in 2007, a recent study showed that such a family needs over $40,000 to meet its most basic needs in New Jersey.⁴
• Low wages and high cost of living forces one in every five households in New Jersey to struggle to live on an income below the Self-Sufficiency Standard, that is, inadequate to meet basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, health care, child care and transportation to work.⁵
• 85% of these households have at least one person working (non-elderly, non-disabled households).⁴
• 11.8% of children under 18 (over 1 million children) live below the Federal poverty line.²
• One out of every three people receiving emergency food are children.⁶

In Monmouth & Ocean Counties:

The Red Cross has provided more than 23,000 overnight shelter stays since Saturday to those communities in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast suffering from widespread power outages, wind damage and significant flooding from Superstorm Sandy. Please donate today.

Tuesday night, more than 9,000 people stayed in 171 Red Cross shelters across 13 states. More than 100,800 meals and snacks have been served.

Financial donations help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy, as well as countless crises at home and around the world.

Donate Now

Asbury Angels Induction Ceremony: Asbury Park NJ Sunday September 23rd.  Calvin Schwartz (writer) Tara-Jean Vitale (video)

By Calvin Schwartz

Twenty minutes before the Asbury Angels ceremony. Shooting down Asbury Avenue for the 78^th time this year; that’s an approximation but probably close. I’ve developed a love affair to remember with Asbury Park and find myself there three or four times a week; hey, I’m a music, art, environmental and evolving cerebral journalist and Asbury has morphed into a renaissance/ re-birth. I’ve been saying for some time now in my writings that part of this dynamic is the celestial descending of particulates of molecular energy from the living and past musical history of this town; I’m saying that the world knows about Springsteen, Southside Johnny, Vini Lopez, and the vast array of current performers whose roots came from Asbury.

Yes, for me this energy  is absolutely palpable. Last summer I remember walking down Cookman Avenue and looking across the street at several houses. One had a pastel green back porch; a young teenage boy was playing a guitar and gyrating. I was certain he was pretending /dreaming ‘Springsteen.’  I thought to myself; it’s the sprinkled particle energy of the living legends. I also thought while heading down Asbury Avenue, adhering to the speed limit, passed an Italian restaurant and beautiful red brick church, that I was heading to an emotional poignant ceremony honoring particulate energy of Asbury music history of those who have passed on.

Iconic Tony Pallagrosi, so deeply involved in the musical and philanthropic composition of Asbury Park founded the Asbury Angels.  “The mission of the Asbury Angels is to honor and memorialize the lives and history of members of the Asbury Park musical community, including but not limited to, musicians, tech support persons, DJs, journalists, club owners, record company personnel, managers and promoters.”

NJ Discover’s team, Tara-Jean Vitale (editor, producer) and I quickly slammed car doors in front of the Stone Pony, and joined the hundreds assembling on the boardwalk for the induction of the 2012 class (first one) of the Asbury Angels. Jackie Pappas from the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce introduced Tony Pallagrosi who read brief biographies of the inductees. Families and friends applauded each reading; the ocean glistened in the background; the sky was perfectly blue and the weather Gods cooperated. The night before, Pallagrosi hinted, Springsteen’s concert at Met Life stadium was rain delayed until 10:30pm.

I listened to every word of each bio. These were legends and icons that did so much for Asbury music. I kept thinking in the midst of the throngs consuming the whole width of the boardwalk, that someday these Angels would’ve contributed to making Asbury Park one of the world’s music destinations. I want to think everyone thought like me. After all, look at the depth, range and impact of these Angels. Its two days later as I write this. I’m still intestinally queasy. I was so moved being there.

As each name was read, a plaque on a boardwalk bench was unveiled with the bio of the Angel.  Huge scissors were summoned to cut the yellow ribbon to share the memorial for the ages. It was Asbury Park’s walk of fame.  The 2012 Asbury Angels are: Arthur Willard Pryor, Bobby Alfano, Larry ‘Bozo’ Blasco, Bill Chinnock, Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, John Luraschi, Joe Arthur Major, Arthur Morris, Tom and Margaret Potter, and Moe Septee.  When the ceremony was over, I watched people hugging and shaking hands, photographers capturing plaques, old friends seeing one another after decades, smiles and bittersweet  teary eyes; a panoply of emotions.  I did my joyous deep inhalation/exhalation. “Hey Mah, look where I am,” and thought ten thousand people should’ve been here to experience this. (Or more)

You can find the biographies and information on the Asbury Angels here:

http://asburyangels.com/default/index/

Hundreds of cheering fans welcomed Christie Rampone home! Christie Rampone is New Jersey’s very own Soccer Gold Medalist from the 2012 Olympic Games!

After winning her 4th Olympic Medal, Christie is now the first four time Olympian on the United States women’s soccer team.  Dedicating 15 years on the national team she has proven herself to be the perfect example of a young women who has never given up on her dreams. Because of her focus on staying healthy and fit, she was chosen to be spokesperson for the K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.  With this opportunity Christie has given more children the opportunity to experience her enthusiasm along with her personal support and guidance.

Christie Rampone’s commitment to her team as Captain is equaled by her devotion to her family. Being the only mother on the team, Christie keeps her children close by. Both Rylie, 6 and Reece, 2 attended the event at Jersey Shore Medical Center.

Also, in attendance was Jersey Mike’s Sub’s owner Peter Cancro showing his support for Jersey girl and Olympian, while giving subs to all of her fans. – TaraJean Vitale, NJ Discover

NJ Discover TV Hosts Frank DiCopoulos & TaraJean Vitale were on the scene at K. Hovnanian’s Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Yours Truly, Tara-Jean

She stood on the beautiful grounds of the Peppadew Fresh Farm in Morganville, New Jersey, surrounded by her family, friends and her neighbors. The tears in her eyes and emotion in her voice let us know how deeply moved she was by this incredible outpouring of love.  This past year Denise was diagnosed with cancer. Not only did she have the sole responsibility of caring for her twin boys who were only in 1st Grade, but she had begun to fight the battle of her life.  The words of thanks she spoke on this warm summer evening reflected the months of struggle she has already endured. Denise said, “I will never forget this time in my life.”

Carol Mazzola, Marlboro Township Councilwoman and member of the Kiwanis Club of Marlboro gathered together more than 100 neighbors, friends and family to give their support to this local mother during her time of need. Kiwanis covered the cost of hosting the event at the Peppadew Fresh Farms on Boundary Road in Marlboro, New Jersey. Local donations were offered by The Wine Academy, Abbate Bakery contributed their cookies and Peppadew Fresh Farms provided the space.  Other local businesses such as Investors Bank and Bella Vista Country Club donated monies to the fund that was set up by Kiwanis.

The Kiwanis chapter in Marlboro is one of 13,000 Kiwanis organizations established in over 80 countries. They are devoted to identifying and responding to the needs of their communities. In Marlboro more than 30 active and committed members meet once a month to explore ways they can assist with club service projects.

The event was a perfect representation of “Love Thy Neighbor” It gave many people the opportunity to open their hearts. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Frank J. Dugan Elementary was in attendance as well as the boys’ teacher and her family.  When the school and PTA first learned of her diagnosis, the decision was made to organize a baked goods food chain to deliver to Denise’s home to ensure her children would always have a warm cooked meal and Denise would be relieved of the stress of shopping and cooking. Anonymously, mothers from the Dugan PTA cooked and delivered full meals to Denise’s home each day during her initial treatments and surgeries. Play dates were also scheduled with the twins so Denise could feel confident that her children were being entertained and supervised.

Now, months later on this summer evening Denise responded with overwhelming emotion as she expressed her gratitude. “This was a fight I never thought I would have to take,” she said, “and I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.” She expressed her pride in her community. She also acknowledged her friend and neighbor, Seth, who is also battling cancer and who has given her enormous inspiration.  The days ahead will still be a struggle for Denise, she has two more procedures scheduled this summer. Yet with the strength of her family, friends and community behind her, she and her children will have the ability to focus their energies on being brave and looking toward the future.

NJ Discover at Prom for ROBIN (Recreation Old Bridge In Need). American Hotel, Freehold. May 18, 2012

NJ Discover at Prom for ROBIN (Recreation Old Bridge In Need). American Hotel, Freehold. May 18, 2012By

Calvin Schwartz

A few weeks ago Barbara Anderson contacted me and asked about the feasibility of NJ Discover TV covering a very special event; a Prom for special needs young adults;  part of Old Bridge Township’s amazing program, ROBIN. Barbara has been involved in the program since 1986 which shares and provides much joy, care and love. The prom, greatly anticipated, has been going on for eight years; this was the first time in Freehold. A few seconds elapsed before I knew NJ Discover would be there.

The ROBIN program has grown into a comprehensive system, offering both therapeutic and diverse recreational activities. The goal of year round programming is to provide a basic introduction to recreation opportunities and lifetime skill development. The adult program has been expanded to provide opportunities to participate in some of the township’s most popular recreation programs such as fitness and yoga, cooking, crafts, computer classes, and the ever popular Friday Night Fun Program.

We watched exuberant prom attendees alight the bus and head into the hotel. Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry personally greeted everyone with a prom favor. The mayor was thrilled and emotional; occasionally speechless over the great success of the program; the support and love the township residents provide.  Dr. James Anderson, township council and Barbara Anderson, who runs the non-profit ‘Special Projects for Special Children,’ welcomed us.  When the DJ started playing music, “Rockin Robin,” for a first dance, the dance floor filled with pure joy as did we at NJ Discover.

Contact Information:

Pete Pero, Camp ROBIN Coordinator

732-765-0968

http://www.oldbridge.com/content/137/187/2905.aspx

The town of “Pink” Bank celebrated its annual Paint the Town Pink mission May 2012. In Red Bank, Riverview Medical Center’s team of volunteers began this fun and creative way to deliver the message to all women: “early detection is a woman’s best defense against breast cancer.”  Their goal: “to encourage women in our community, aged 40 and older, to have their annual mammogram; to raise money to provide underserved women in our community; and to make a difference in the lives of women in our community.”

The idea is for the entire town and neighborhood to show their support for the fight against breast cancer by displaying as much PINK as possible!

This year the theme is Men In Pink and the volunteers searched for men who have had breast cancer impact their lives.

In Pink Bank, on Monday night NJ Discover Team attended “An Unplanned Plan: An Evening with Bill Rancic” at the Count Basie Theatre. The reality television star, Bill Rancic, was the first to win The Apprentice and is also married to E! News co-host Guiliana Rancic. For the very first time he talked publicly about his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Bill met Guiliana after she interviewed him for E! News. They immediately hit it off and soon began dating. His love for Guiliana was apparent, and the fact that he adores her was visible in every story he shared about their life. Also apparent was his devastation on the diagnosis and the battle she had to endure.

Bill Rancic spoke to the audience with the intention of inspiring and empowering the “caretakers”. The very people who spend each day standing by the women they love who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

He spoke about life being a journey of experiences…Challenging us not to focus on the final destination, but to enjoy each stop along the way. Like a train stopping at a station, each stop being unique and new…Reminding us that each station needs to be enjoyed, and embraced…Encouraging us to live for the moment.

Bill talked about the caretaker, and how it is necessary to take on many roles: comforter, iron-man, comedian, sounding board, empowerment speaker and medical research investigator. Finding the right role to play that will generate the most strength can change at a moments notice.

Bill and Guiliana are optimistic and focused. They wake each morning and thank God for each new day and are grateful for each new experience and journey they are presented with. Surely it is evident that they are blessed because Guiliana is pregnant with their first child.

“Pink Bank” has inspired many more towns to join forces in the Paint The Town Pink mission: Atlantic Highlands=Atlantic Pinklands, Little Silver=Little Pink, Monmouth Beach=Pink Beach, Shrewsbury=Pinkbury, Fair Haven=Pink Haven, Holmdel=Pinkdel, Rumson=Pinkson.

Maybe next year we will see Marlboro=Pinkboro, Freehold=Pinkhold, Old Bridge=Pink Bridge and Manalapan=Manalapink and more!

Submitted by Tara-Jean Vitale