By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

‘Tis the season of giving and all through Seabrook, residents are donating gifts of blankets and books.

Earlier this fall volunteers at the Tinton Falls community gathered school supplies and handmade blankets for area children. And from November 19 to December 7, they will be collecting items and funds for Toys for Tots.

Handing over handmade blankets
In September, Seabrook crafters donated 90 handmade blankets to Project Linus New Jersey, Inc. The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization distributes knitted, crocheted, or quilted blankets to children in state hospitals, cancer treatment facilities, health clinics, and youth hospice facilities.

For RoseMary Cheek, who organized the effort at Seabrook, the project is her way of giving back to the surrounding community.

“My involvement with Project Linus brings together two of my loves—knitting and volunteering to help those in need,” she says. “I’m happy that some of my fellow residents decided to create blankets for this worthwhile cause.” Her volunteer effort is one of 25 civic ventures at the Tinton Falls community.

And for the recipients, the comforting gifts will be much appreciated this holiday season. “These handmade blankets provide a ‘warm hug’ for the fragile children who receive them—comfort when they need it most,” says Hillary Roberts, president of Project Linus.

To contribute to or learn more about Project Linus, visit www.blankiedepo.org.

Supporting students
A committee of people who live and work at Seabrook have partnered with United Way of Monmouth County and Aslan Youth Ministries in a volunteer effort to provide new school supplies for Monmouth County students. At the “Back to School” drive at Seabrook, they collected pencils, notebooks, backpacks, crayons, and other supplies.

These items were then presented to a group of students who benefit from the services of Aslan Youth Ministries.