Donations help United Way offer assistance at holidays

The United Way of Ocean County received numerous donations during the 2006 holiday season, enabling more than 500 children, seniors and families to enjoy a bounty of food, toys and gifts.

According to a press release from the United Way, Comcast Toms River provided Thanksgiving food baskets filled with nonperishables, supermarket gift cards and other gift items which were distributed to clients at Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey. For the December holidays, approximately 1,000 gifts were donated to area residents, including food baskets, personal hygiene items, clothing, toys, Game Boy units, MP3 players, gift cards and bicycles. In addition, Target of Toms River and Brick donated six fully decorated Christmas trees to area families.

Local businesses and residents provided donations, among them: Amer-Gen Energy Company; Crossroads Realty; Macy's; Boscov's; Gap; Victoria's Secret; Cowan, Gunteski and Com-pany's Young Professionals Group; Gap Outlet; Banana Republic; Commerce Insurance Co.; Investors Savings Bank; Shore Community Bank; Crown Bank; Dr. Steven L. Newman's office; Single Throw Inc. and many more generous Ocean County individuals.

"The outpouring was incredible," said Joyce Brda, executive director of United Way of Ocean County. "We were touched by the community's enormous generosity, which brightened the holidays for many people experiencing difficult times in our area. Lisa Petrozzello, our community building coordinator, did a terrific job coordinating these initiatives."

Gifts were distributed to the following agencies: Community Options, Ocean Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Ocean County, LADACIN Network, Cerebral Palsy Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County, Ocean County Hunger Relief, Dottie's House, Maryville Inc., Children's Home Society, Catholic Charities Project Free, Team Randy, Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey, Providence House, Jersey Shore Council Boy Scouts, Ocean's Harbor House and Ocean County YMCA.

United Way of Ocean County has raised more than $27 million since its inception in 1976, according to the press release. The current board president is Phil Scallon, who is supported by 31 board members from the community.

United Way is committed to helping solve critical issues in the community and presently has 53 certified agencies that offer programs and services addressing the issues of Ocean County, including emergency food and shelter, overcoming disease and disability, strengthening families and neighborhoods, caring for the elderly, investing in the youth and helping the working poor.

To learn more about United Way of Ocean County, call (732) 240-0311 or visit the Internet Web site www.UnitedWayofOcean.com.