Homeless:

Continued From Page 1 opens its doors on nights when temperatures approach freezing. They were open 81 nights, according to CEO Paul Hulse. Although the park is in Toms River, the unhoused population comes from all over Ocean County.

They had 147 different people stay for a total of 1,620 nights. But it’s not just about shelter for one night, it’s about finding out what issues they are having so that they can be referred to organizations that help. For example, there were 75 referrals for various services. There were 35 people who applied for Section 8 vouchers. Eleven people found temporary housing. A rental car was secured for one guest.

Ten people entered a facility for substance abuse or mental health. Three went to a sober living home. Five people relocated out of state. Six found gainful employment. Nine people were denied access due to behavior or needing a higher level of care; they were instead provided emergency housing elsewhere.

Hulse thanked Fulfill, A Need We Feed, and a number of local restaurants for providing meals. In addition to the big stuff like food and housing, there were also smaller things that helped people feel good, like getting haircuts or going bowling. Showers were provided by the YMCA.

About 2,500 hours were spent by volunteers, he said.

This marks “six years of Code Blue success in Ocean County,” Hulse said. These fig- ures represent only five months of the year. “Imagine what we could do if we were open all year long?”

Nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups house the homeless because Ocean County leaders don’t want to run a shelter.

Fundraiser For Housing

Just Believe’s first annual 5K and 1K fun run will be held at Winding River Park, 147 Oak Ridge Parkway, Toms River, on May 13 at 8 a.m.

Proceeds will go to raise funds for a transitional housing project called Larry’s’ Home which will help veterans transition back into society.

Call Linda for registration and sponsorship information at 732-569-0643.

For more information, visit JustBelieveInc. org.

Field Of Dreams Summertime Dream Cruise Nights

TOMS RIVER – Join this summer for Summertime Dream Cruise nights once a month as we get ready for our big car show in October!

Summertime Dream Cruise nights are free to attend and open to everyone.

The park will be open for children to play, and there will be food, music, raffles, giveaways, and so much more. Located at 1505 N. Bay Avenue Toms River.

2023 dates:

June 11, 5 to 8 p.m. (Rain date June 25)

July 9, 5 to 8 p.m. (Rain date July 23)

August 13, 5 to 8 p.m. (Rain date August 27):

EDUCATORS! Have a special event planned for your class? Let everyone know by placing a news release in this paper! Call 732-657-7344 to find out how!

Teen:

Continued From Page 1 to demonstrate their design skills and creativity. The competitors also presented business plans as they advocated for funding and support of their projects.

A total of nine teams participated in the competition, which included students from Jackson Memorial High School, Manchester Township High School, Point Pleasant High School, and Toms River High School North. Each brought their own unique ideas and approaches to the table.

Several projects focused on using mobile apps or online platforms to support products related to health, well-being, and safety. Others aimed to address fashion-related issues, targeting either individuals in need or catering to those with significant disposable income.

After pitching their innovative designs, students faced the added pressure of quickly answering tough questions posed by four judges sitting in the front row. The powerhouse panel of judges featured Jim Mahlmann, the Director of Net Centra; Lori Pepenella, the CEO of the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce; Ocean County College Law Professor and community leader Mark J. Mutter; and Katie Calabrese, the Director of Membership & Education at the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship.

Monetary awards to the teams of winners came courtesy of the Ocean County College Foundation.

In the end, one of the Manchester High School teams earned $3,000 as the top prize winner in the Sink or Swim competition. Team Stylish Safety members Madison Cubbison, Mackenzie Davis, Katelynn Grupposo, and Layla Petillon said their product design would help reduce the number of people who felt unsafe.

“Our company is a jewelry brand with a lot more to it,” shared the team members. “We are looking for $150,000 in exchange for 10 percent equity of our company’s profits.”

The Stylish Safety Team said they planned to initially roll out rings, earrings, and hairpins that would come equipped with a discreet button mechanism. With a push of a button, users would have the ability to connect with to Stylish Safety app to alert designated authorities.

An added plus to the design would be the use of eco-friendly materials. The developers intend to work with manufacturers that recycle each metal and plastic used in their jewelry.

The judges wanted to know if there was really a need for the product and how consumers would activate it when they began using it.

The team emphasized the safety concerns faced by women, citing alarming statistics about sex trafficking, abductions, and kidnappings. Their innovative product provided safety features and was fashionable, making it an attractive option for their target market.

Natalie Raspciewicz and Alexa Sousa of Toms River High School North captured the $2,000 second-place award in the Sink or Swim competition. Dubbed Team Locked and Secured, Natalie and Alexa also focused on safety concerns.

“Oftentimes, as girls, we are told to always watch our backs and make sure to check what’s behind us,” shared Natalie. “But we easily forget about what’s in front of us via our drinks.”

Team Locked and Secure said they came up with an idea that would allow users to conceal a test strip to determine whether someone had spiked their drinks. A locket would discreetly hide two test strips to doubly ensure the results were accurate.

As Alexa presented the prototype on stage, she told the judges they were looking for $100,000 in funding.

Once again, the judges sought answers to some questions that immediately struck them. Mutter suggested their product might require FDA approval; Pepenella pointed out the company could be held accountable if the results yielded false negatives.

“We are planning on running multiple trials before we go to market,” Alexa said. “We will also keep statistics and make sure the product works accurately.”

Team Huggle from Manchester High School secured third place and a $1,000 prize for their efforts. Their product was designed to help people who would benefit from getting a good hug – rather than giving one.

The Huggle body pillow features Velcro around each of its tips that fasten to the user’s body.

“We started this company to help solve problems such as people not being relaxed or feeling comfortable when sleeping,” shared Matthew Perez, Huggle CEO. “The arms of the pillow provide pressure to the body similar to a weighted blanket.”

After their pitch, Mahlmann asked Team Huggle if they knew a similar product was already on the market. The team said existing body pillows served as their inspiration but didn’t have the same effect as they didn’t focus on hugging the user.

Team members also addressed using disclaimers to ensure the product didn’t adversely impact younger children.

“I want to commend your thoughts on the disclaimers,” said Calabrese. “They do make newborn products with Velcro on them, and it’s on the parents to ensure that it’s safe for the child.”

Despite not reaching the top three, Point Pleasant High School’s Team Pop Punk Rock Café still had a standout performer. Joe Mazzaro took the stage with a guitar in hand and delivered a compelling pitch for his team’s concept of a coffee café with a rock theme. His impressive presentation earned him the title of Most Valuable Player and the reward of three free college credits at Ocean County College. Bottomley delivered the event’s final pitch, highlighting the merits of Ocean County College as a stepping stone for those embarking on post-secondary education. Supporting statistics reveal that a significant number of the college’s graduates successfully complete their two-year degrees and advance to prestigious four-year institutions such as Kean, Rutgers, and Stockton.

The program organizers emphasized that every future commences with an idea that possesses the potential to transform the world.

“Innovation is something we take very seriously here,” summed up Dr. Jon Larson, President of Ocean County College. “It’s right in our college mission statement – to be the boldest, most innovative, and entrepreneurial student-centered college in the nation.”

Land: Continued From Page 1

“Mo” Hill said of the district. “But we’re going to have to work with Trenton for a school funding formula that’s equitable for all towns.”

Township Business Administrator Louis Amoruso said that according to NJ 18A:20-6, the district would have to sell off land to the highest bidder. That would likely be a developer. Selling it to the town instead dodged this bullet.

Township Engineer Robert Chankalian said it’s prime developable land with all utility connections. It’s in the R-90 residential zone, which means buildable lots are 9,000 square feet. In order to build a home, the lot has to have a width of 75 feet and a depth of 120 feet. Using these parameters, a developer could build a new neighborhood with 49 homes. If presented to the Planning Board, which approves developments, there would be very few issues to stand in the way.

Based on this, Henry J. Mancini and Associates appraised the land as being worth $4,150,000.

The council passed an ordinance on first reading to buy the land for an amount not to exceed $4.4 million. Then they passed another ordinance on first reading to bond $4.5 million. The extra $100,000 is for soft costs. The second reading of those ordinances will have public comment and will be at a future Township Council meeting. Ordinances always have two readings – one to introduce, and a later one for the public to talk about.

Councilman Justin Lamb abstained from these ordinances, likely because his wife Ashley Lamb is on the Board of Education. The rest of the Township Council voted for it.