The Coaster

By RICHARD VIRGILIO

You saw O.J. Simpson close the summer out with another charming mug shot. Your dance card has lightened up because Asbury Park second-home homeowners have begun hibernating at their primary addresses for the fall? And you are not crazed just yet creating a light display worthy of an Atlantic City casino on your front lawn for the holidays?

Done, done and amen.

It is time to take the time to give back to the town that has given you so much from real estate appreciation to, at a minimum, a great summer.

For some, this town has made you a millionaire, for others, it has made your life full and given you a great group of friends. For everyone, Asbury Park has changed your life positively in some way. Not giving back to this town as a thank you is gross and you should be sad for yourself, just as you are sad for Ms. Britney Spears. I am as serious about this as I am about not wearing a belt with sneakers and that is majorly serious.

Residents and business owners especially realtors it is time to give back and pull back on the taking, taking, taking. And realtors I am especially not talking about history tours-sales pitches that you charge people to come to. That is not part of the giving. That is part of the taking and it is tacky, tacky, tacky.

Herewith, a list of great, local organizations, that would very much appreciate your help immediately. Call today. Your time and energy invested, directly helps your community.

Habitat for Humanitys thrift store, ReStore. 732.988.7044. I volunteer here and going there is my favorite part of every week and by far the most gratifying. Everything about it rocks. I started volunteering when the store first opened not knowing a lot about the organization or what would be expected of me. Habitats unwaveringly dedicated Executive Director Maureen Mulligan made myself and everyone else feel welcome and gave us tasks that we were comfortable with and that made a contribution to the efforts of the store. Volunteers help patrons, set up donations, and organize the store and more. I look forward to my time at the ReStore and happily missed many a beach day this summer to be there. I have met people from all avenues and streets of our town volunteering at the ReStore. From the patrons to the stores devoted manager, Russell everyone is so appreciative of everything the volunteers do.

Asbury Park Library. 732.774.4221. Not all donations require money, stated Librarian Bob Stewart. Donate some of your time to your library. We sit with our volunteers and match their interests with our needs. Volunteers typically do everything from assisting patrons to library organization to working with children.

The Center. 732.774.3416. The Centers mission is to help those in our community affected by HIV - both those actually living with the virus, as well as their family, friends and caregivers. The Center in Asbury Park runs on volunteers, stated Father Bob Kaeding. Volunteers are needed for a variety of activities, including serving meals and welcoming newcomers.

Clean Ocean Actions Beach Sweep. 732.872.0111. Meet on Saturday, October 20 at 9 a.m., at Convention Hall, to help your neighbors pick up the debris on the beach. Gloves, etc. are provided. As the Chairman of the Surfrider Foundation, Bill Rosenblatt stated so succinctly, Its your beach. Your butt sat there all summer I saw you. Why not get up and clean the beach to say thanks?

Monmouth County SPCA. 732.542.1036. Volunteer Coordinator Francesca Alexander stated, We are seven minutes away in Eatontown. There is something everyone can do here that will make a huge difference. We have over 400 dogs and cats right now and are extremely desperate for help. Volunteer opportunities include: socializing pets for adoption, adoption counselors, picking up donations, pet therapy and cleaning kennels (not sexy, however way important).

There is something you can do right now to help the SPCA: SPCA needs unfolded, clean newspapers to line cages. Instead of recycling this newspaper, unfold it and start a pile. Bring the unfolded pile along with any old sheets, towels or blankets you have – into the SPCA. Unfolded newspapers save our technicians so much valuable time, continued Francesca.

Dont say that you do not have time to volunteer. Make the time. You have time to look at racy photos online, shop, play, work on your house, dine out and whatever else. Make volunteering happen and be confident that you helped move the world forward in a positive manner.

Tell me about your volunteer experiences: TheBPlot.com. Find all my past columns, too.
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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 11:18 am and is filed under Arts & Entertainment, Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.