BERKELEY – The Bayville Elks once again invited veterans for lunch, entertainment, and an opportunity to learn about services they might need at their resource fair.
There were plenty of tables set up inside, with a tricky tray for donated items and Central Regional ROTC students serving food.
Outside, a band played and there was a barbecue feel to the event. There was a missing man table – seating set aside in honor of those who never came home.
This showed how the theme was blended between camaraderie and providing solutions. A number of community organizations were on hand to help veterans get anything they needed.
Tunnel To Towers, which is building veterans housing on Route 9, had a table there. So did Sal Ferlise, a former Berkeley School Board member who wrote a memoir, “My View Of The World From The Back Step,” about his time as a firefighter and his life. He donates all proceeds to Tunnel To Towers.
“I’m a vet. I’m fortunate, I have a roof over my head. Tunnel To Towers is a wonderful organization that takes care of people like me,” he said.
Nancy Seibert shared a table with him, collecting Cell Phones For Soldiers. She brings old cell phones to a recycler in exchange for calling cards. Those cards are sent overseas to soldiers so they can call home.
Soldier On is part of the Bring Veterans Home initiative. Their outreach partners veterans in need with case managers to help them get the assistance they need. Learn more at wesoldieron.org/outreach
Hackensack Meridian performed wellness screenings. Nurse Joan Litacz explained that they checked blood sugar, cholesterol, and other issues. While they don’t give referrals, they answered questions without giving specific medical advice.
They attend events like this in order to provide community options. For more information, visit hackensackmeridianhealth.org.
A lot of vendor tables had information to hand out, or swag. One table had fresh vegetables.
The Sadie Vickers Community Resource Center in Manitou Park recently partnered with a number of groups to plant a CommUnity Garden, and the vegetables at their table were just picked. The Holy Temple Church Of God In Christ uses its land and its resources to make sure the people in the neighborhood have healthy food and also access to larger groups that visit at scheduled times. More can be found at sadievickers.org
The Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity provides affordable housing for families – and can point to dozens in Ocean County that have stepped into their new homes – many of them in Berkeley. They also provide repairs for people so they can afford to live in their homes longer.
“Sometimes the veterans need help and don’t know where to turn,” said Kristine Novakowski, chief executive officer. More about them can be found at northernoceanhabitat.org.
Hope Sheds Light is a nonprofit trying to break the stigma of substance abuse. They offer peer-to-peer counseling, and group counseling for adults, teens, and those experiencing grief.
“Sometimes, people just need someone to listen,” said member Antonio Rivera. “That alone is sometimes enough.” They can be found at HopeShedsLight.org
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen had a table providing information and they also have several tables in downtown Toms River providing meals. They are in the former church (and also former Dunkin’ Donuts) that is attached to the library, and they will be there from Tuesday to Thursday throughout the end of August.
“We get them fed, and we wrap our arms around them,” said Joanne Gwin, community coordinator. “We’re going to give them that hand up they need.”
Family Promise has a sheltering program for people experiencing homelessness or near homelessness. If, for example, a medical situation causes a family to miss rent for several months, they can call Family Promise. That organization will evaluate the situation and see where they can help.
They are currently looking for more places that can operate as shelters, particularly in northern Ocean County, since they are new to that area. They can be found at familypromisesoc.org
Not only were all these nonprofits helping fill voids in services, but the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau was there to inform vets of what resources the government owes them.
“This event is so well done,” said Phil Zimmerman, Director/Service Officer of the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau. He shared a story about a veteran riding by, seeing the sign out front, and stopping in. Turns out, there was something he was entitled to for his service that he didn’t know about. For more information, visit co.ocean.nj.us/oc/veterans/frmHome.aspx
Ron Schwieters, who co-chaired the event with Jan Bernardito, said they expected more than 200 people to come through the doors.
