Recent News Articles
OceanFirst's Home Runs For Heroes Nets $24,000 For Area Charities
Our Sports Central: October 12, 2009
Nine local military-based charities will receive a total of $24,000 from OceanFirst Foundation after a successful first season of the "Home Runs for Heroes" partnership with the Lakewood BlueClaws.
The program tied each position on the field (not including pitcher, but including designated hitter) with a local military-based charity. Each home run by the BlueClaws at home this year brought a $1,000 donation to the corresponding charity courtesy of OceanFirst Foundation.
"We thank the BlueClaws organization for giving us the opportunity to work together in support of our troops and veterans," said Katherine Durante, Executive Director of OceanFirst Foundation. "We hope that the grants through the Home Runs for Heroes Program will bring much needed relief to local military families going through difficult times."
The BlueClaws will host a special check-presentation ceremony on Wednesday at FirstEnergy Park, beginning at 4 pm.
"This was something we were ecstatic about when OceanFirst Foundation first came to us with the idea," said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. "It's great that these home runs helped us on the field, but those that get helped off the field carries so much more importance."
American Recreational Military Services, tied in with first base, led the way with $9,000, thanks to seven home runs by Jim Murphy and two from Jeremy Hamilton. Catcher (Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton) and left field (Army Emergency Relief - Fort Monmouth) each brought in $3,000. Second base (VetGroup), Third base (Navy-Marine Corps. Relief Society - Earle) and designated hitter (Army Emergency Relief of Fort Dix) brought in $2,000. Centerfield (National Guard State Family Readiness Council) made $1,000 for one home run.
Despite Lakewood's shortstop position and rightfielders not hitting any FirstEnergy Park home runs this year, both Navy / Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society - Lakehurst and the American Red Cross will each receive $1,000.
Jim Murphy (seven, all at first base) and Travis d'Arnaud (four, two each at catcher and designated hitter) hit the most FirstEnergy Park home runs this year for the BlueClaws.
The Lakewood BlueClaws won their second South Atlantic League championship in 2009, a year in which they led the league in attendance for the ninth straight season, won the league's Club Merit Award, became the fastest team in NJ and SAL history to reach 4-million fans, and let kids eat free at every 2009 home game.
The 2010 schedule has been released and ticket packages are on sale now by calling 732-901-7000.
Ocean County youth shelter awarded $55,000
Asbury Park Press: October 8, 2009
Ocean's Harbor House was awarded $55,000 by OceanFirst Foundation for its emergency shelter, counseling and crisis intervention for Ocean County's runaway and homeless youth, organization officials said.
The money will be used to help runaway and homeless youth find emergency shelter and services and return to their families.
Ocean's Harbor House has an emergency youth shelter for people ages 10 to 19 that provides temporary housing, food, clothing and counseling. There are also crisis intervention services for runaway and homeless youth, and those seeking a safe haven from abuse. Harbor House also has programs for youth ages 16 to 21. All services remain free and confidential.
For more information, call 732-864-2111.
$2,500 donation accepted by Coastal Habitat For Humanity
Star News Group: September 30, 2009
Coastal Habitat For Humanity was recently awarded $2,500 to support its mission to provide simple, decent, affordable housing by OceanFirst Foundation of Toms River.
The grant will fund the ongoing efforts and current projects of the organization to benefit families in need in Monmouth County.
Recently, Coastal Habitat For Humanity received three lots from the Asbury Park City Council and is planning construction of new homes on those lots. The houses will be built by volunteers, as well as the partnering families.
Each family selected for homeownership must contribute at least 250 hours of work or “Sweat Equity” toward their new home.
Because of donations like the OceanFirst Foundation award and volunteered building hours, Habitat For Humanity is able to offer low-income families an opportunity to buy affordable housing with a no-interest mortgage.
The mortgage paid goes toward the construction of new Habitat houses.
To meet the needs of the community in addition to constructing new homes, Coastal Habitat has integrated a creative program called “A Brush With Kindness.”
This program addresses the needs of existing homeowners who can no longer keep up with the exterior maintenance of their property. These one-day projects bring volunteers together to help a member of their community who may be elderly, of low-income or disabled.
Coastal Habitat For Humanity is able to keep these projects alive thanks to hardworking volunteers and charitable donors. To date, the OceanFirst Foundation has contributed $10,000 to aid in the effort to provide affordable housing for Monmouth County.
Coastal Habitat For Humanity, an affiliate of Habitat For Humanity International, was founded in 1994 and built its first home in 1997 in Asbury Park.
Habitat For Humanity is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry devoted to eliminating substandard housing, and partnering with low-income families and communities.
For more information about how to make a donation or become a volunteer, visit www.coastalhabitat.org or call 732-974-2422.
Founded in 1996, OceanFirst Foundation is the first foundation in the nation to be established by a bank as part of an initial public offering.
In 2008, OceanFirst Foundation donated more than $1.6 million to community initiatives.
OceanFirst Foundation has contributed approximately $20 million to over 600 local charities in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties since its inception. Its four priorities are housing, health and wellness, improving the quality of life, and youth development. For more information, visit www.oceanfirstfdn.org.
A Generous Donation To FoodBank
Star News Group - September 10, 2009
The OceanFirst Foundation recently donated $25,000 to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Among those in attendance at the FoodBank's warehouse in Neptune for the check presentation were New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher [from left], Regina Ruggieri, OceanFirst assistant vice president and Spring Lake Heights branch manager, Michael O'Brien, OceanFirst vice president senior trust officer, Katherine Durante, executive director of the OceanFirst Foundation, David Wintrode, OceanFirst board member, and Susan Kelly, executive director of the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
