LAKEWOOD–Looking for something to do this weekend for dad on Father’s Day? The Ocean Signal has some exciting ideas including breakfast, dinner and a cruise along the historic Toms River waterfront.

TOMS RIVER – One hundred twenty-four students from the Ocean County College Nursing Class received their nursing pins at the Annual Nurses Pinning Ceremony on Tuesday, May 21st at in the Arts & Community Center Theatre at the OCC Main Campus in Toms River.

During the ceremony, special awards in Nursing were presented. The following Nursing graduates received awards:

• St. Barnabas Behavioral Health Award – Recipient: Kateri Norton (Howell)
• Community Medical Center Awards – Recipients: Kimberly Coleman (Forked River) and Alexa Rae Yabut (Manahawkin)
• New Jersey League for Nursing Award – Recipient: Lizbeth Santibanez (Brick)

The graduates completed the two-year course of study leading to an associate degree in applied science in nursing. Sixty-one students completed the degree requirements this May and 63 students completed the degree requirements last December. The Ocean County College nursing graduates from Ocean County include:

Barnegat: Michele Guido, Erin Little, Laura-Beth McKeown, and Donna Pierce, Jessica Hernandez and Jennifer Severin; Bayville: Lori Stewart; Beachwood: Jeffrey Huntley and April Fischer; Brick: Augusto Cespedes, Elizabeth Gannon, Lindsay Goretski, Valerie Klim, Lisa Romanow, Laura Rudorfer, Anthony Scrofine, Lynn Tedeschi, Wendy Westphal , Danielle Ann Bagley, Samantha Bernard, Maxine Hall, Jennifer Katzmann, Amy Keefe, Karl Rex, Lizbeth Santibanez, and Jaclyn Yanovsky; Forked River: William LaBruna , Danielle Androcy, Jennifer Christ, Kimberly Coleman, and Lisa Hatrak; Island Heights: Rebecca Constantine; Jackson: Druclair Flynn, Jennifer Hruschka, Caryn Keeley, Laura Spata, and Jessyca Thompson, Veronica Busch, Jason Byrne, Stephanie Christen, Aurora Cleary, Susan Fuchs, Kristie Goelz, and Ashley Siegle; Lakewood: Sashalee Coke, Chaya Freedman, Ann Friedman, Pesha Konovitch, and Shulamit Navaro, Batsheva Eisen, Stephan Gymnich, Fraidy Karmel, and John Keene; Lanoka Harbor: Christy Neill (McDonald); Little Egg Harbor: Ashley Acierno , Melissa Evans and Kathleen Friedlander; Manahawkin: Andrea Cline, Robyn Gray, Caitlin Michels, Liana Schmidt, and Dena Smith, Frances Farnung, Renee Petitt, Suzann Thoman, and Alexa Rae Yabut; Manchester: Kim Hart and Amanda Peterson; Point Pleasant: JoAnna Fabiano and Christopher Griffin, Christina Devito and Tara Rostron-Lorenz; Toms River: Mark Amiscosa, Christine Coltenback, Jadwiga Corapi, Jonathan Dacpano, Amanda Erli, Margaret Myhre, Karolina Piwnica, Darlene Rodriquez, Jennifer Rosa, Nicole VanHouten, Mary Albuquerque, Stacy Calicchio, Linda Cioppa, Elizabeth Cogan, Maria Ditommaso, Fernan Dungca, Salwa Elbyadi, Denise Gillman, Sabina Gjonbalaj, Patrick Hurler, Irving Lukas, Brittany McCabe, Donna McCurdy, Jennifer Muraglia, Melissa Naphier, Daniel Ostie, JohnPaul Tinio, Colleen Tompkins, and Erin Wiggins; Tuckerton: Valerie Mills , Katharyn Gunn; Waretown: Jacqueline Keen; West Creek: Patrick Topping and Sybil Schriever; Whiting: Cathy Ippolito.

The team, consisting of  Emily Golembiski of Little Egg Harbor, Jillian Hubbard of Toms River, Gillian Schriever of West Creek, Michael Signorelli of Toms River and Megan Tumpey of  Brick, will represent New Jersey in the 2013 North American Envirothon at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana in August.

The Ocean County students competed against 33 other teams on knowledge of natural resources-related topics, including soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife ecology and a current environmental issue. This year’s theme was “Sustainable Rangeland Management: Achieving a Balance Between Traditional Agricultural Uses with Non-Agricultural Uses on Montana Rangelands.”

“For 20 years, New Jersey high school students have had the opportunity to participate in this valuable competition and learn more about the environment, natural resources and science,” said Secretary Fisher. “We hope they take advantage of the skills they learned and consider careers in agriculture and natural resources-related fields.”

Each of the MATES team members received $1,000 scholarships from the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts, $2,000 scholarships from Richard Stockton State College and $1,000 scholarships from Applied and Health Sciences at Kean University.

Two 5-member teams of MATES students competed in last year’s Envirothon with all but one of those students graduating. The two MATES teams placed first and second in 2012. An almost entirely new set of 10 students made up this year’s two teams.

“I am very proud of the hard work and dedication put forth by our members,” said MATES Advisor Adam Sprague.  “It was quite an accomplishment considering it was the first year competing for nine out of the 10 team members. We now turn our attention to Montana which offers an exciting variety of challenges in terms of preparation for our students.”

The second-place team in this year’s Envirothon was West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North and third place was taken by High Tech High School, North Bergen.

The Envirothon is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, State Soil Conservation Committee; New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts; the 15 Soil Conservation Districts; United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

The 15 Soil Conservation Districts in New Jersey follow county boundaries and implement the New Jersey Soil and Sediment Control Act, which governs certain aspects of new development.  These semi-autonomous bodies are locally governed and play a strong role in the protection of New Jersey’s natural resources.

The indictment stems from the culmination of a 12 month investigation and the subsequent March 21, 2013 arrest of Pena during a motor vehicle stop in the Manahawkin Route 72 Wal-Mart parking lot.  On the evening of the arrest, the execution of search warrants on his vehicle and residence led to the discovery of over two pounds of marijuana, two loaded handguns with defaced serial numbers, hollow point ammunition, and several thousand dollars in cash.

The nine page indictment charges Pena with employing five juveniles in a drug distribution scheme, as well as, weapon offenses.  The full lists of charges in the indictment are as follow:

Five counts – Second degree – Employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme.

Three counts – Third degree – Terroristic Threats.

One count – First degree – Leader of a narcotics trafficking network.

One count – Third degree – Possession with intent to distribute CDS.

Two counts – Third degree – Conspiracy to distribute CDS.

One count – Fourth degree – Possession of CDS.

Two counts – Second degree – Possession of a firearm while engaged in certain drug activity.

Two counts – Second degree – Possession of a firearm for unlawful purpose.

One count – Second degree – Unlawful possession of a firearm.

Two counts – Forth degree – Possession of a defaced firearm.

One count – Fourth degree – Unlawful possession of hollow-nose bullets.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Michael Weatherstone and Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron are prosecuting the case.  Pena is currently being held in the Ocean County Jail in default of $250,000 cash bail.

The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

On 04-17-13, Kimberlyann Ridgeway, age 30 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was charged with burglary and theft. Police were called to Pine Bay Liquors on Rt. 539 due to a female going thru a parked vehicle, possibly stealing items. The female ran into the woods prior to police arrival. Due to information provided by witnesses and surveillance footage police were able to identify the female as Kimberlyann Ridgeway. Police searched the wooded area and later located Ridgeway on Burton Dr., she was then placed under arrest. Ridgeway had taken loose change, totaling $3.80 from the parked vehicle. Ridgeway was issued a summons for burglary and theft, she also had a outstanding $500.00 warrant out of the Toms River Municipal Court. Ridgeway was transported to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail. Patrolman Thomas McAnney was the arresting officer, assisted by Corporal Chris Arciniegas and Patrolman Eric Nelson.

On 04-17-13, Lenardo Caro, age 20 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was arrested on Mathistown Rd. due to a $268.00 warrant out of the Northfield Municipal Court and a $639.00 warrant out of the Egg Harbor Twp. Municipal Court. Caro was also found to be in possession of marijuana. Caro was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date and issued a summons for possession of marijuana 50 grams or less. Patrolman Joseph Falkiewicz was the arresting officer.

On 04-18-13, Scott Snyder, age 34, Clifford Maynard, age 51, both of Little Egg Harbor Twp. and Christopher Rolleri, age 30 of Barnegat Twp., were arrested on Radio Rd. All were occupants inside of a vehicle which was stopped for a motor vehicle violation. Further investigation revealed Maynard had a $707.00 warrant out of the Little Egg Harbor Twp. Municipal Court, Rolleri had a $259.00 warrant out of the South River Municipal Court and Snyder was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Maynard and Rolleri were released on their own recognizance pending a future court date and Snyder was issued a summons for possession of drug paraphernalia and released. Corporal Chris Arciniegas was the arresting officer, assisted by Patrolman Thomas McAnney.

On 04-18-13, John Weber, age 25 of Little Egg Harbor Twp., and James O’Donnell, age 29 of Somerspoint were arrested on Leitz Blvd. They were observed walking and acting in a suspicious manner. Both smelled like burnt marijuana and further investigation revealed Weber had a $1,100.00 warrant out of the Atlantic City Municipal Court and O’Donnell was found to be in possession of marijuana. Prior to locating Weber’s warrant he provided police with a false name to conceal his identity. O’Donnell was later released and issued a summons for possession of marijuana 50 grams or less and Weber was issued a summons for hindering apprehension. Weber was turned over to the Atlantic City Police Department and transported to the Atlantic County Jail in default of bail. Corporal Chris Arciniegas was the arresting officer.

On 04-18-13, George Rockafellow, age 54 of Trenton was arrested on Twin Lks. Blvd. due to a $2,500.00 warrant out of the Trenton Municipal Court and a $459.00 warrant out of the Hamilton Twp. (Mercer County) Municipal Court. Rockafellow was turned over to the Hamilton Twp. Police Department and transported to the Mercer County Jail in default of bail. Patrolman Matthew Kline was the arresting officer.

On 04-20-13, Brian Dulany, age 36 of Forked River, and Gale Campbell, age 47 of Keansburg were arrested on Rt. 539. Police were called to a residence due to occupants of a motor vehicle yelling and screaming at each other on the side of the road. When police arrived Campbell was irate and not cooperative with officers, she was placed under arrest for obstruction and during this time attempted to kick officers. Dulany was arrested due to a $500.00 warrant out of Manchester Twp. Municipal Court and a $359.00 warrant out of the Waretown Municipal Court. While being processed at Police Headquarter’s Dulany became irate and aggressive with officers, using physical force and spitting. Officers restrained Dulany and he was further charged with resisting arrest and aggravated assault. Campbell was charged with obstruction and resisting arrest. Bail was set at $10,000 each and both were transported to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail. Patrolman Chris Costa was the arresting officer, assisted by Sgt. Michael Hart, Patrolman Matthew Pretty, Patrolman Edward McNally, and Patrolman Joshua Peterson.

On 04-22-13, Nicholas Maglione, age 22 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was charged with D.W.I., possession of CDS and possession of a hypodermic syringe. Police were called to Lk. Singleton Dr. for a suspicious vehicle parked in front of a residence. When police arrived they observed Maglione sitting inside a parked vehicle and hunched over the steering wheel. When police awoke Maglione the vehicle began to roll due to it still be in gear, almost striking a parked vehicle. Maglione was noticeably under the influence of something other than alcohol. Located inside the vehicle were several prescription pills and a hypodermic syringe. Bail was set at $10,000 for possession of CDS and Maglione was transported to the Ocean County in default of bail. Patrolman Edward McNally was the arresting officer.

On 04-22-13, Antoinette Fredericks, age 48 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was charged with shoplifting. Police were called to the Family Dollar Store in the Great Bay Plaza Shopping Center for a report of a shoplifter. When police arrived employees pointed out the accused shoplifter who was still inside the store. Further investigation revealed Fredericks had stolen $47.28 worth of store merchandise. Fredericks was placed under arrest and later released on a summons for shoplifting, Patrolman Eric Nelson was the arresting officer.

On 04-23-13, Richard Lukowicz Jr., age 31 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was arrested on Radio Rd. due to a $200.00 warrant out of the Tinton Falls Municipal Court. Lukowicz was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date, Corporal Chris Arciniegas was the arresting officer.

On 04-23-13, Brian Menth, age 44 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was arrested for D.W.I. following a motor vehicle accident. Police were called to the Acme parking lot due to a vehicle striking a parked vehicle. Police made contact with Menth who was the driver of the vehicle, he was noticeably intoxicated. Menth performed field sobriety test and was then placed under arrest. Menth was charged with D.W.I. and issued several other motor vehicle summonses. Menth was turned over to a family member as per John’s Law and released. Patrolman Kevin Hogan was the arresting officer, assisted by Sgt. Thomas Thornton.

With the resumption of shellfish harvesting in both areas, all of New Jersey’s shellfish beds that were once closed as a result of Superstorm Sandy will now return to the classifications they had before the storm hit at the end of October.

“It has been a long road for many shellfish harvesters who have had their livelihoods compromised by Superstorm Sandy,” Commissioner Martin said. “The shellfish industry is very important to the state. I commend the industry for working cooperatively with us to protect public health. The reopening of Raritan Bay shellfish beds is particularly significant because these beds provide the largest area in the state for harvesting of hard clams.”

The only section of Barnegat Bay that remained closed to shellfish harvesting as of last week was a small portion of Little Egg Harbor – although oyster harvesting was permitted. DEP tissue sampling of clams from this area of the bay now meet standards set by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, a state and federal cooperative effort that monitors and ensures the health safety of shellfish.

The DEP monitors more than 720,000 acres of commercial shellfish beds in the state’s ocean waters and estuaries as well as all recreational harvesting. Bivalves in these beds such as clams, oysters and mussels are filter feeders that can accumulate harmful bacteria carried into waterways.

Superstorm Sandy impacted shellfish beds primarily by causing wastewater system failures and overflows into coastal waters. Most discharges stopped shortly after the storm. But by then water temperatures had dropped, slowing down the metabolism of the shellfish. In some areas of the state, shellfish had difficulty purging themselves of viruses and bacteria.

The DEP continue to work with the New Jersey Department of Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration to monitor these beds, reopening them to commercial and recreational harvesting when tissue samples met health safety standards.

To see a copy of today’s signed order and a map showing the exact location of the shellfish beds that will reopen on Friday and Monday, visit:  http://www.state.nj.us/dep/wms/bmw/sandy/20130411lehandallsigned.pdf

For more information, including a map of all reopened shellfish beds, visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bmw/sandy.html

For more on DEP’s Marine Water Monitoring, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/wms/bmw/

113: #9 Chris Crane (Southern) md. #8 Connor Maliff (Brick Mem)  11-0
113: #5 Ben Mrozinski (Lacey) d. #12 Zack Baker (Jackson Mem)  4-0
113: #3 Nick DePierro (Freehold Twp) md. #14 Tommy Flannigan (Long Branch)  12-0
113: #7 Nasiyr Brown (Neptune) d. #10 Costa Poniros (Ocean Twp)  9-2

120: #8 Joseph Santamarco (Manalapan) d. #9 Connor Garrity (Lacey)  8-3
120: #4 Matt Russo (Jackson Liberty) d. Andy Hernandez (Long Branch)  3-1
120: #7 Dylan Seidenberg (Raritan) d. #10 Josh Glantzman (Wall)  2-1 2OT
120: #2 Dan Nobbs (Pt Boro) p. #15 Yospeh Boral (TR East)  2:57

126: #5 Anthony Scarcella (Raritan) md. #12 Khalil Haskins (Matawan)  13-1
126: #4 Marcus Iwama (Rumson) p. #13 Isaiah Haymon (Neptune)  4:21
126: #7 Andrew Tonneson (Southern) p. #10 Pete Powell (Marlboro)  5:50
126: #2 Jared Staub (Brick Mem) d. #15 Thomas Poklikuha (Pinelands)  5-2

132: #9 Dan Saraiva (Marlboro) d. #8 William Rodriguez (Matawan)  7-2
132: #4 Zach Hertling (Ocean Twp) d. #13 Joe Mandara (Barnegat)  6-0
132: #6 Ryan Harter (Pt Boro) d. #11 Nick Menkin (Long Branch)  5-4
132: #2 Kyle Wojtaszek (Brick Twp) d. #15 Ryan Davis (TR North)  9-2

138: #9 Christian Casselli (CBA) d. #8 Tim Leo (Matawan)  7-6
138: #5 Jake Camapana (Southern) p. #12 Carlos Fontanez (Keansburg)  1:29
138: #4 Steve Cimmino (Brick Twp) p. #13 Andrew Garrity (Lacey)  1:25
138: #10 Dan Kinsella (Wall) d. #7 Jack Rada (Howell)

145: #9 Nick Racanelli (Southern) d. #8 Sam Koenig (Shore)  3-0
145: #12 Matt Best (Middletown South) p. #5 Orion Rovegno (Ocean Twp)  5:45
145: #3 Spencer Young (Jackson Mem) p. #14 Steve Knapp (Lacey)  2:22
145: #10 Terrence Davis (St John Vianney) d. #7 Nick Pollara (Brick Twp)  7-5

152: #8 Dylan DaSilva (TR North) d. #9 Garrett Applegate (TR South)  6-4
152: #5 Jake George (Long Branch) tf. #12 Evan Brown (Red Bank)  15-0
152: #7 William Scott (Brick Twp) d. #10 Jake Kaminsky (Manalapan)  5-4
152: #2 Cliff Ruggiero (Brick Mem) p. #15 Jeff Goldrosen (Marlboro)  5:20

160: #8 Joe Beverly (Brick Mem) d. #9 Sean Rembach (Manchester)  8-4
160: #5 Antres Clagon (TR South) tf. #12 Steven Chandler (Manalapan)  16-1
160: #3 Anthony Ferraro (St John Vianney) d. #14 Jason Lawhon (Ocean Twp)  5-2
160: #7 Connor Sheehan (Raritan) d. #10 Jose Caraballo (Neptune)  7-4

170: #1 Tyler Richardson (Brick Mem) p. #16 Chris Cruz (Jackson Liberty)  2:45
170: #9 Ryan Kirk (Barnegat) d. #8 Anthony Benedetti (Manalapan)  7-3
170: #6 Kyle Lynch (Raritan) d. #11 Dan Baillie (Shore)  5-0
170: #7 Tyler Wilton (Middletown North) d. #10 Tyler MacLaine (TR North)

182: #8 Tommy Lyster (Ocean Twp) md. Quentin DeCarlo (TR South)  10-2
182: #6 Drew Donner (Wall) p. #11 Spencer Govel (Manasquan)  3:05
182: #7 Anthony Fabiano (Middletown North) p. #10 Muhab Elgamal (Manalapan)  1:42
182: #2 Glenn Cross (Matawan) tf. #15 Greg Schmalz (Barnegat)  18-3

195: #5 Chad Freshnock (Middletown North) d. #12 Tyler Romanelli (Wall)  2-1
195: #4 Shawn McCord (RBC) md. #13 Nick Dzuna (Pt Boro)  11-3
195: #6 Dan Hwang (Marlboro) p. #11 Josh Foca (Central)  1:49
195: #7 Ben Aquilina (Manalapan) d. #10 Armando Leonor (TR East)  6-3

220: #5 Jesse Bauta (Southern) p. #12 Mike McKenzie (Jackson Liberty)  2:30
220: #3 John Seidle (Neptune) p. #14 Tyler Tomanek (Middletown South)  3:42
220: #6 Matt Frigon (Barnegat) d. #11 Luke Becker (Manalapan)  5-3
220: #7 Joey Guidetti (Long Branch) d. #10 Anthony Dzugan (Brick Twp)  8-4 2OT

Hwt: #8 Ezra Figueroa (Brick Mem) d. #9 Thomas D’Amore (Pt Beach)  3-2
Hwt: #5 Hunter Gellman (Freehold Twp) d. #12 Dan Arias (Ocean Twp)  5-1
Hwt: #3 Anthony Fernicola (Holmdel) d. #14 Zach Andrews (Barnegat)  1-0
Hwt: #15 Atanacio Carrillo (Central) d. #2 Pat Toal (Raritan)  5-2

On 02-11-13, Ian Lyon, age 21 of Little Egg Harbor Twp., and Bradley Bourgeois, age 20 of Waretown were charged with possession of marijuana 50 grams or less and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police were called to an address on Wild Oaks Ct. for a report of a loud noise, possibly a fight. Further investigation revealed marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the residence. Lyon and Bourgeois were both placed under arrest and they were later released on a summons. Corporal Chris Arciniegas was the arresting officer, assisted by Patrolman Matthew Kline.

On 02-12-13, Daniel Mcallister, age 28 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was arrested on Radio Rd. due to a $500.00 warrant out of Bass River Twp. Municipal Court and a $300.00 warrant out of the Little Egg Harbor Twp. Municipal Court. Mcallister was transported to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail, Patrolman Matthew Kline was the arresting officer.

On 02-12-13, David Manning, age 28 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe. Manning was observed walking on Center St. and acting in a suspicious manner. Further investigation revealed Manning was in possession of a hypodermic syringe. Manning was placed under arrest and later released on a summons. Patrolman Kevin Hogan was the arresting officer, assisted by Patrolman Wilfredo Hernandez.

On 02-15-13, John Rex, age 19 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was charged with possession of marijuana 50 grams or less and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police were called to Lk. Champlain Dr. for a report of a drug transaction that had just occurred. Police checked the area for the male involved and made contact with Rex. Further investigation revealed he was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Rex was placed under arrest and later released on a summons. Patrolman Steve Martin was the arresting officer.

On 02-16-13, Joseph Fiorino, age 19 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was charged with possession of marijuana 50 grams or less. Fiorino was observed walking behind the Mystic Casino during the late evening hours and found to be under the influence of alcohol. Further investigation revealed Fiorino was in possession of marijuana. Fiorino was placed under arrest and later released on a summons. Corporal Chris Arciniegas was the arresting officer, assisted by Patrolman Matthew Kline.

On 02-16-13, David Pritsky, age 31 of Little Egg Harbor Twp. was arrested on Radio Rd. for a $1,000.00 warrant out of the Lacey Twp. Municpal Court. Pritsky was an occupant in a vehicle stopped for a motor vehicle violation. Pritsky was later turned over to the Lacey Twp. Police Department and transported to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail. Patrolman Joseph Falkiewicz was the arresting officer.

On 02-16-13, Jefferson Konah, age 49 of Trenton was arrested on E. Susquehanna Dr. due to a $26,000 warrant out of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department. Konah was transported to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail, Corporal Chris Arciniegas was the arresting officer, assisted by Patrolwoman Tonya Anderson.

On 02-16-13, Kathleen Hilley, age 39 of Tuckerton Borough was charged with shoplifting, possession of CDS, and possession of prescription legend drugs. Police were called to the Rite Aid Pharmacy on Mathistown Rd. in reference to a shoplifter. Hilley was found to be in possession of $38.76 worth of store merchandise. Hilley was also found to be in possession of various prescription pills. Hilley was placed under arrest and bail was set at $25,000 no 10%. Hilley was transported to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail. Patrolwoman Tonya Anderson was the arresting officer, assisted by Patrolman Wilfredo Hernandez.

By Phil Stilton

RAHWAY–Children across the tri-state area whose local playgrounds were destroyed by the forces of Hurricane Sandy last October may soon be able to return to those jungle gyms, swingsets and monkey bars if Bill Lavin, president of the New Jersey Firefighters’ Mutual Benevolent Association [NJFMBA], has anything to say about it.

His organization, which is now gearing up to begin fundraising and rebuilding efforts for coastal play areas here, was originally dispatched to reconstruct playgrounds in affected coastal communities along the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in 2006 in a project called “Pennies for Playgrounds.”

One of those playgrounds was at the North Bay Elementary School in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, where the NJFMBA and approximately 20 firefighters traveled from New Jersey for the effort, which was undertaken in partnership with Save the Children and Mercy Corps. The NJFMBA also raised $400,000 for Save the Children’s after school and child care activity programs there.

“We were blown away that people were still living in tents and children were going to school in trailers,” said Mr. Lavin, recalling a visit to the region at the time. “But when we asked the children what they really needed, they all said a playground.”

Following Hurricane Sandy along the Atlantic coastlines, Mr. Lavin said he learned that the Katrina-affected communities of Waveland and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, “were collecting Christmas gifts for New Jersey children affected by the storm in an effort to pay it forward to those who had showed such kindness to them in their hour of need.”

“The gesture from Mississippi was an absolute spiritual shot in the arm for the NJFMBA and the hundreds of members who had been serving the coastal communities in New Jersey for the past six weeks in every capacity imaginable,” said the organization’s president. “Unfortunately, just as our members and their families were starting to get their second wind and make some sense out of the Jersey disaster, the unspeakable massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut was reported to the country.”

As a result, the NJFMBA called the new effort “The Sandy Project: Where Angels Play,” and include raising enough money to build 26 memorial playgrounds dedicated to each of the 20 children and six teachers slain in that school shooting.

“Perhaps each playground can reflect the personality of the teacher or child for whom it would be named,” said Mr. Lavin, noting that the work would be undertaken by police officers, firefighters, teachers and volunteers.

The fundraising goal to accomplish this mission has been set at $2 million and so far, according to Mary Kate Lavin, New Jersey playgrounds to will be rebuilt in Sea Bright, Union Beach, Highlands, Normandy Beach, Belmar and Point Pleasant. Others in New York and Connecticut were also named.

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering may visit the NJFMBA website at www.njfmba.org.

Playground built in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi by the NJFMBA. Photo by NJFMBA.