LAKEWOOD – Officials from the Ocean County Corrections PBA 258 came together on April 29 to clean up Lake Carasaljo from any garbage or debris to beautify the town’s most popular recreational spaces.
In addition to PBA officials, volunteers from the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch, National Chaplains Association, and the Lakewood Police Department’s Water Rescue and Bike Units joined in on the initiative to clean the area.
The cleanup was organized and led by PBA 258 president Matthew Stillwell and Rebecca Roth who planned a series of events and activities to “give back” to the communities.
Roth says officials are always searching for ways to connect with the community on a more personal level.
“Life can often be trying, and it can be hard to find the good on some days. But when you can’t find the good, be the good. Today’s cleanup was just a small measure of that guiding philosophy,” Roth said. “Unlike other agencies, residents don’t see us on their streets and don’t know us. Efforts like today’s is part of our efforts to break down those walls of anonymity.”
Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles said it was uplifting seeing the PBA’s efforts as well as the other volunteers who helped makeover the township’s lake.
“It is always gratifying to see folks getting together to improve conditions in town, especially in helping to clean around one of Lakewood’s crown jewels, Lake Carasaljo,” Coles said. “I want to extend the thanks of the Township Committee and all residents of Lakewood to the Corrections Department PBA 258 for volunteering their time and efforts today.”
Lakewood Committeeman Albert Akerman noted how the PBA officials were taking off of their personal time to assist the community.
“The cleanup is a really nice gesture by the Department of Corrections,” Akerman said. “These officers work hard all week and chose to spend some of their time off beautifying our lake, rather than taking a break and relaxing. It’s truly inspiring and speaks to their level of dedication to the community.”
PBA officials insisted they were doing what they love by lending a hand to the people that rely on them.
“There is nothing more rewarding than the Ocean County Corrections PBA 258 giving back to the people and community of Lakewood and Ocean County,” Ocean County Corrections Warden Joseph Valenti said. “We strive to do whatever we can for the people of Lakewood and Ocean County; there isn’t much we find more fulfilling and truer to the fundamental principles of our jobs.”
