The Shark River Hills section of Neptune is continuing its post-Sandy recovery three plus years after the storm devastated the area. Some 40 homes have been elevated and many more homes are in the process of being elevated to mitigate future flood losses and comply with proposed FEMA flood maps.
Instrumental in the post-storm rebuilding of the neighborhood, has been the Recovery Along the River Foundation. The Foundation was created to raise fund and awareness to assist the residents of Shark River Hills who were impacted by the storm. To date, the Foundation has raised $85,000 and has distributed $80,000 to more than 80 families and businesses.
Recovery Along the River Foundation has “literally been there for us from Day 1 with hugs, meals, and donations, and has helped us ever since in any way they could! We don’t know what we would have done without them; we are forever grateful!,” said Ivy Jegou, a Shark River Hills resident impacted by the storm.
“We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of the support that the Recovery Along the Foundation provided to our family. From financial assistance to helping navigate the legislative and regulatory channels required in the post-storm environment and a support group that provided a sympathetic ear to the challenges our family faced after the storm, we know that we wouldn’t be where we are today without the assistance of this dedicated group of volunteers,” said Melanie Matthews, also a Shark River Hills resident impacted by the storm.
The Recovery Along the River Foundation is sponsoring its 3rd Annual Run/Walk the Hills 5K on May 1 at 9 a.m. to continue its mission of helping residents fully recover from Super Storm Sandy. The event also includes a kids’ fun dash at 8:30 a.m.
The $30 registration fee includes the post-race party and a guaranteed t-shirt for registrations received before April 22. Race packet pickup will be held at Current Trends, 27 South Riverside Drive, on Saturday, April 30th, from 4 p.m. to 6 .pm. and on race day at Volunteer Park, 149 South Riverside Drive, Neptune.
The fast, flat race course will feature scenic Shark River views along South Riverside Drive. Come see the progress this community is making.
Local businesses sponsoring the race, include: Coast Cities Equipment Sales, Brown & Brown Benefit Advisors/Ted Wardell, WAWA, New Jersey Natural Gas, In Memory of Peter Novak by Anne Novak, Santorini Construction, LLC, John’s Cracker Barrel, Current Trends, Bruno’s, The Coaster, Senator Jennifer Beck, 11th District, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling and Assemblywoman Joann Downey, 11th District, Shark River Hills First Aid Squad, Pete & Elda’s/Carmen’s Pizza, and Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone, Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso & Sheriff Shaun Golden.
If you would like more information about the race or Recovery Along the River, please contact at .If you would like more information about the race or Recovery Along the River contact Recovery Along the River at info@recoveryalongtheriver.org.
