Seabrook Residents Praised For Volunteer Efforts

Residents of Seabrook, full-service retirement community in Tinton Falls, have not let age slow them down or stop them from helping their community.

In 2011, approximately 450 Seabrook volunteers cumulatively produced nearly 10,000 volunteer hours assisting agencies, non-profits, schools and organizations.

Some of the groups helped by Seabrook residents last year include; Meals on Wheels, The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Bradley Food Pantry, Red Cross, United Way, ARC of Monmouth, New Jersey Special Olympics, Bridges at the Shore, Toys for Tots, SPCA, Visiting Nurse Association and the Mahala F. Atchison School.

Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Volunteerism Rowena Madden recently addressed a group of approximately 200 Seabrook volunteers where she thanked them on behalf of Gov. Chris Christie for their service. 

“My experience at Seabrook and, at other retirement communities, shows how vital the volunteer work of senior citizens is within the local community," Madden said. "At Seabrook alone, I met talented individuals who are currently doing volunteer work – sharing their creative talents with the wider community.”

“Baby Boomers will be a focus later this year at the Governor’s Volunteer Conference in October because they bring so much professional and life experience through their volunteer work and they are at a time in their life where they are giving back to the community,” Madden continued.

Seabrook resident Vera Ciavaglia, who helps fundraise for various programs at Jersey Shore Medical Center, including one that helps pay for mammography programs for underserved women within the area, said that volunteering is a critical part of her life.

“I love to help people, especially those that cannot afford the basic necessities,” Ciavaglia said. “I have been working as a volunteer for many years and gain so much satisfaction out of it. I will keep on going as long as I can and help as many people as I can.”

"Our residents take immense pride in the volunteer work that they do to help their friends and neighbors in need,” Seabrook Executive Director Art Sparks said. “Whether it is creating blankets for children, volunteering at the local food bank, making sandwiches for the hungry or donating goods to people that can use some extra support, more and more seniors are finding it within themselves to make a difference.”

“When you look at the fact that the number of volunteer hours are upwards of 10,000, it tells a story that volunteerism is a significant part of the Seabrook community,” Seabrook volunteer program coordinator Ann Marie Matthews said.  “Residents, who are retired essentially find that there is satisfaction in their golden years, and working helps keep them active, healthy and makes them feel like they are continuing to contribute to society.”

In 2011, Seabrook residents were involved in the following:

• 1,800 pounds of food was donated to the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
• More than 300 sandwiches made for Bridges at the Shore.
• 300 handmade baby blankets donated to children in need.
• Nearly 1,000 items were donated to troops serving in the Middle East.
• 457 turkeys donated through the Turkey Trot.
• More than 1,000 toys donated through Toys for Tots.
• Seabrook residents worked with eight ARC athletes prepared for the Special Olympics at Seabrook.