The Coaster
Saturday, February 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Coaster
No Result
View All Result
Home Asbury Park

Retired Amtrak Employee Helping Those in Need

by The Coaster Editorial Staff
May 27, 2020
in Asbury Park
9
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare via EmailShare on Twitter
Coaster Photo – Kevin Garrison puts together what he calls Blessing Bags for those in need.

What started as a Christmas Project in 2016 has turned into a full time job to help thousands of needy people with daily hygiene.

Kevin Garrison started the Blessing Bag Brigade while working for Amtrak in New York City and seeing so many homeless people on the streets as he made his way to and from work.

He learned that although food was being distributed to the homeless they very often were in need of basic hygiene products.

Thus began his brigade, which was supposed to end with that year’s Christmas season.

“It became a thing, I thought I did my good deed for the day,” he said, laughing.

Now four years later he has retired from Amtrak and with the help of his Veteran’s benefits from serving three years in the military he has made this his full time occupation.

In fact his fiancé, Karin, urged him to retire and do this full time.

The couple were due to get married July 18 but with Covid-19 interrupting their plans, they have postponed the ceremony until next year.

Garrison said he expected the health crisis to interfere with the brigade’s mission due to people possibly not having the means to donate items, but has found that people are still giving.

“I haven’t been doing a lot of asking, but people have been very giving – thank you God,” he said.

The Brigade operates out of a rented barn at 125 Red Hill Rd. in Holmdel Township.

They have a Facebook page, with 4,200 friends which helps get the word out about donation drops and volunteerism. They also have a website Blessingbagbrigadenj.org.

On their website they have an Amazon Wish List where people can have items delivered right to the barn.

When schools were in session Garrison would regularly visit schools explaining the program and asking if students would like to help.

He always got a positive response and kids would then begin collecting and he would go back and pick up the items. They collect hygiene products in travel sizes to make it easier for people  to carry them around.

“It’s a way to be compassionate and humanitarian to those in need.”

Garrison said they distribute about 2000 bags per month in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, including at the Bradley Food Pantry and The Center in Asbury Park.

He said anyone who needs a bag will get it, including seniors, the homeless and those who are food insecure.

“If you ask for it, you usually get it,” he said.

Four years later Garrison is still in awe of how successful the organization has become.

“It’s really turned into something,” he said. “Once I put it on social media and showed where the products were going, people could see immediately what they donated was being used.”

Related Posts

Asbury Park’s New Athletic Director

City School Chief Urges ‘Respectful and Open Dialogue’

February 1, 2023
Police Seeking Potential Entrepreneurs  Among Asbury Park Youth

Possible Bias-Motivated Event Investigated by Law Enforcement

January 31, 2023
In Asbury Park Steps Taken to Create Citizen Review Board

County Prosecutor Partners With City Court for Recovery Program

January 30, 2023
‘Concert for George’ at ShowRoom

Critically Aclaimed Movies Now At ShowRoom in Asbury Park

January 30, 2023

St. Patrick’s Day Committee Names Sammy Boyd Grand Marshal

January 30, 2023
Disussions Continue to Preserve Asbury Park Historic Sites

Disussions Continue to Preserve Asbury Park Historic Sites

January 25, 2023

Trending This Week

neptune police car

Neptune Police Make Burglary, Robbery Arrest

February 1, 2023
Husband Indicted for Killing Wife, Leaving Body on Roadside in Ocean

Husband Indicted for Killing Wife, Leaving Body on Roadside in Ocean

January 31, 2023
Neptune City to Consider More Locations for Sale of Cannabis

Ocean Township Amends Cannabis Ordinance

February 1, 2023
Asbury Park’s New Athletic Director

City School Chief Urges ‘Respectful and Open Dialogue’

February 1, 2023

Advertise Online with The Coaster

Advertise on The Coaster to reach countless new customers for your local business.

START ADVERTISING TODAY

E-mail Newsletter

Sign up to get a free weekly newsletter to your inbox.

Subscribe

Contact Us

The Coaster
1011 Main St
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: 732-775-3010
FAX: 732-775-8345
editor@thecoaster.net

Email Newsletter »

All Articles

Search Our Site

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved.