Backpacks To Be Given Out During Family Fun Day

settlement, now moved to an undisclosed location on what is believed to be public property. Together with other volunteers, Brigham and some of the inhabitants diligently worked to meet what they thought was the midnight deadline to relocate their belongings away from the powerlines.

(Camp - See Page 5)

By Chris Lundy

SOUTH TOMS RIVER – No kid is ever ready to go back to school. But some kids need more help

(Backpacks - See Page 4)

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Concerts:

Continued From Page 1 like you are attending a Chicago concert,” Amato said.

All concerts are free and take place in Veteran’s Park in Bayville. Regulars know to bring a folding chair for the evening.

Refreshments are for sale by local non-profits that use these concerts as their fundraisers.

Donations Of Food And School Supplies

The concerts are free. However, the mayor is asking people to bring non-perishable donations of food to the August 16 show. Also, the August 30 show will be part of the mayor’s school supply drive.

“Our annual school supply drive helps support children in need in our area. Please help us by bringing a donation –notebooks, markers, pens, pencils, etc.”

Mayor Amato said.

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“We are hoping for great weather, great music, and a great collection of food and school supplies to help our residents and families,” he said. “We look forward to seeing you at the shows!”

Other Shows

On Saturday, August 12, starting at 5 p.m., will be the Annual Beach Party at White Sands Beach in South Seaside Park at 23rd Avenue. From 5 - 8 p.m., reggae band The Verdict will be performing “a fun and exhilarating blend of the sounds of the Caribbean.”

Wednesday, August 23, beginning at 5 p.m. at Veterans Park, will be the annual “Night Out Against Crime and Night of Two Headliners,” Amato said. “The Berkeley Township Police Department will be on hand along with our township fi rst aid squads, township fi re departments and other public safety agencies

Backpacks:

Continued From Page 1 getting ready than others.

A school supplies giveaway is being broadened to include family activities for an entire day.

This will be done at the Back-To-School Extravaganza and Family Fun Day which to greet residents and show the different types of equipment that they utilize. All of these public safety agencies will have their vehicles and equipment on display, as well. Our DARE Program will also be there with games and prizes for the children to enjoy.”

The fi rst headliner will be at 6 p.m. Gerard Esposito celebrates the music from Broadway to Vegas, followed by Garden State Radio, a pop and rock band playing hits from the 80s, 90s and today. “This band will thrill the audience with the music from Pat Benatar to Katy Perry; from Michael Jackson to Journey and many more,” Amato said.

The fi nal performances will be on Saturday, September 9 for Berkeley Township Community Pride Day. Community Pride Day runs from 2 - 9 p.m. and recognizes the original Founder’s Day and anniversary of the town. There will be a circle of vendors, crafters, and local service groups with tables selling food and showcasing their products and services.

At 5 p.m., the township will recognize the 22nd Anniversary of the September 11th attacks and will host a 9/11 Memorial and Remembrance Ceremony. All are encouraged to join the ceremony at the memorial near the stage.

The fi rst show will be Stiletto & the Saxman at 6 p.m. “This entertaining act delivers a great show singing hits of doowop, the Rat Pack, popular standards and more.” At 7:30 p.m., The Infernos Band will come on, described as “America’s #1 Show Band and the area’s premier live performance group singing four decades of music.” will take place on August 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Recreation Center at 1 Drake Lane. The rain date is August 20. The event is co-hosted by South Toms River Recreation and the South Toms River Optimist Club.

“At 9 p.m., look up in the sky for our spectacular fi reworks display, to end the summer concert series,” Amato said. Refreshments are always sold by local non-profit groups and organizations that use these concerts as their fundraisers.

Council President Sandford Ross said that most years, there are at least 100 backpacks full of school supplies given out. This year, there are 160. South Toms River and Manitou Park residents will be given priority.

Admission is free.

There will be infl atables, a craft fair, activities, games, and a concession stand fundraiser.

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Civic organizations such as the historical society and Ocean County Library will be there, as well as the veterans and health department. A total of 22 vendors will be providing crafts and other items.

First responders will be there, allowing kids to take a close look at fi re trucks and ambulances. The Ocean County Sheriff ’s Department will be holding a K-9 demonstration and a child ID registration.

For information, call 732-505-3243 or 908-783-0291 or visit STRNJ.us

Camp: Continued From Page 1

“My son came down with one of his friends and helped,” Brigham said. “They’re very strong, energetic young men and they really helped out. It was harder on some of the others that were there, and they were exhausted.” He added, “we moved everything that was valuable, but there were some things that were left behind.”

Brigham reported that almost half of the original community at the encampment chose to leave when offered temporary shelter in hotels. The belongings they left behind were not considered a priority during the relocation process and remain in the vicinity near the powerlines.

Among Brigham’s current worries is how to ensure a steady supply of essentials for those still at the encampment. To abide by trespassing laws, he has devised a plan to use a kayak to travel through the river within the area, allowing him to access and provide support to those in need without violating any regulations. Thirteen individuals who continue to live in the makeshift settlement have retained legal counsel to ensure their rights are protected. Attorney Jeffrey J. Wild of Lowenstein Sandler, who serves as a Trustee of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, has been retained to advocate on their behalf.

In 2019, Wild successfully secured funds for members of another homeless community, established by Destiny’s Bridge in Howell, which were specifically allocated for relocation and temporary housing expenses.

According to Wild, he personally visited the encampment last week and was deeply disturbed by the conditions he witnessed. The outside temperature felt like nearly 110 degrees, making the situation incredibly challenging. Additionally, the presence of two women relying on oxygen added to the already precarious nature of their circumstances.

“These men and women would love not to have to fight to survive in the woods,” Wild asserted. “All of them would love to have adequate indoor housing.”

He added that since his clients have moved from the edge of the JCP&L property, they are not considered trespassers. Currently, they are situated on public land deep within a park, where they are causing no disturbances and are not bothering anyone.

“Under the United States Constitution and other parts of the law, they have the right to be there,” said Wild. “Governments cannot criminalize homelessness. It is cruel and unusual punishment to treat people as criminals just because they have no place to sleep but outdoors.”

“They have a right to live there if the government provides no other place,” Wild added. “Ocean County has consistently refused to provide a homeless shelter. So, it is a very unfortunate situation.”

Although the attorney mentioned his firm has used litigation to advocate for the homeless, he sees it as a last resort. His initial discussions with Toms River authorities have left him with the impression that they are of the mindset of helping people rather than prosecuting them.

During their initial visit to the camp, Toms River Police arrived in plain clothes with the purpose of escorting representatives from dif- ferent organizations that Chief Little believed could provide valuable resources.

In collaboration with local authorities, a range of groups has stepped forward to offer assistance, including Just Believe, Inc., Bright Harbor Healthcare, Ocean County Board of Social Services, Affordable Housing Alliance, Mental Health Association, Ocean County Board of Senior Services, HABcore, and Soldier On.

“The problem we’re facing is that it is not a one size fits all,” offered Little. “You can’t just throw money at it. There are other issues involved and that’s why we had to try to get everybody we could get together to try to meet the needs of the people in there and get them services as quickly as possible.”

Little said he was particularly concerned about the rising temperatures and the impact it could have on those living outside. As assorted people took advantage of the access to medical and psychiatric attention, some original members of the encampment accepted housing offers.

Of the group, 18 were placed in some kind of temporary housing situation, Little said. “But, again, it could be only a temporary solution, and they end up right back where they started, or in a different place. If they come back to the same place, at least they have a support group there.”

One of those who remained behind said she did so for that very reason. She worried that she and her family would receive only a shortterm placement in a hotel and then be asked to vacate. There was comradery in staying within the community, even if it meant living in the woods.

Paul Hulse, CEO of Just Believe, said they brought out an oxygen tank and a wheelchair, provided by Social Service. They paid for storage units for some campers for three months.

Collaborating with other nonprofits, some housing opportunities started to open up, he said. Additionally, three dogs and two cats were placed with help from Helping Assist with Melis pet connection.

Both Brigham and Hulse have said that Ocean County needs to establish a homeless shelter as a proactive measure to address the ongoing issue. Little said that he would be in favor of a shelter if it would help local people who are displaced.

“The problem with shelters is that if it’s the only one in the area,” shared Little. “It’s going to draw people from other places. We’d then have people in our town that wouldn’t have been here before seeking services. We could get overwhelmed.”

Certain homeless individuals might choose to decline offers of shelter for various reasons. These concerns include worries about inadequate storage space for their belongings, difficulties in accommodating their pets, or resistance to abide by shelter rules.

Additionally, others may be dealing with mental illness, which could also influence their decision to forego accepting shelter assistance.

The chief confirmed that the township has no plans to forcibly remove those who have chosen to stay at the encampment. Instead, they are actively seeking a collaborative approach with their attorney to identify a solution for housing and secure the necessary funding. The authorities remain optimistic about finding a resolution that benefits those in need.