By Beverly O’Shea
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Seabrook residents have been gathering items for April’s Baby Bundle, a United Way effort to aid expectant mothers and families in need. is is the third year that Seabrook has participated in the drive, donating baby clothing and other essential supplies to the cause.

“I am always amazed by the generosity of the residents and staff at Seabrook Village,” says Nicole Mariano, assistant director of community impact for United Way of Monmouth County. “Each drive we run at Seabrook just grows and grows.”

Earlier this year Seabrook donated an impressive 140 coats as well as scarves, hats, and gloves to help warm Monmouth County residents through United Way’s Winter Coat Wishes Drive. “Our decision to become involved was a simple one: we had some coats and thought that donating them would be the right thing to do,” says Seabrook resident Tom DeSantis, who donated six coats.

And that isn’t the only help Seabrook gives the agency. After receiving a request from United Way for help with its mailings, Seabrook Volunteer Program Coordinator Ann Marie Matthews put out a call to residents. She didn’t have to worry—a total of 13 people who live at Seabrook showed up to stuff envelopes for the St. Patrick’s Day solicitation, including Mary Mackin and Barbara and Bob Jefferson.

“We felt we should do something to help,” says Barbara Jefferson, who adds that her husband used to volunteer in their town as an active fireman and ambulance corps member.

“Volunteerism is a way of life,” says Mackin, who has also volunteered for the Red Cross.

The volunteers will be getting together the last Thursday of each month to aid United Way again with its appeals and informational mailings.

For more information on how to help United Way, visit www.uwmonmouth.org