Ewing, NJ … Athletic programs at The College of New Jersey have been displaying their sense of community the past two weeks, providing hurricane relief to areas of need in the state of New Jersey.
 
The Lions have expended energies and resources to New Jersey towns such as Manasquan and Toms River, who suffered crippling damage from high winds, fallen trees, and flooding. Efforts have included wreckage removal, beach clean-up, clothing drives, and emotional support to those communities and their members deeply affected by the unruly weather.
 
Field hockey players Alexandra Marshall (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield), Sarah Cummings (Summit, NJ/Summit), and Michelle Delahanty (Washington Crossing, PA/Council Rock North) joined Erin Healy (Spring Lakes, NJ/Manasquan) in volunteering for Alternative Break Club to assist residents in Manasquan, NJ. Substantial flooding has left surrounding towns in disrepair, while flooding has left streets and properties in several feet of sand. They removed appliances and helped shovel sand from houses, which took the better part of the day. Healy, a graduate of Manasquan High School, has called on the efforts of the entire field hockey and lacrosse team to return to the beaches for more help this weekend.
 
“It is really hard to see the community you love in such a devastated state,” said Healy, a sophomore open option social science major. “You're used to seeing sights of utter destruction on the news in places far away, which is sad nonetheless, but when it hits home, it seems unreal. Town pride is huge in Manasquan, so it wasn't too hard to believe that so many people in the community come out and do everything they can to help. Manasquan and its surrounding towns are one community united by one high school and it is unquestionably the strongest community I know, so it's only a matter of time before everything will be fully restored.”
 
Jacob Dewitt (Florence, NJ/Florence), a member of the Lions' baseball team, had difficulty digesting the images of the beach towns affected by the hurricanes. He decided to produce and sell wristbands that state, “We are Jersey Strong”. Dewitt and his teammates ordered 5000 wristbands and are selling them for $5 each. All monies will go directly American Red Cross Jersey Shore Chapter.

“With the devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to New Jersey, it also initiated a sense of togetherness from across the state,” noted John Castaldo, director of athletics and recreation. “It seems as though everyone was affected in some way by this massive storm. We at TCNJ take pride in joining the many loyal and dedicated New Jerseyans who are reaching out to help those we know as well as those we do not know.
 
“Our student-athletes continue to be role models and leaders as they seek to contribute to relief efforts. This institution is proud that so many members of TCNJ's student body are directly (or indirectly) involved in giving back to help New Jersey recover. TCNJ and its student-athletes have eagerly joined the many organizations and colleges who are participating in the restoration and rebuilding of many communities throughout the state.”
 
The women's swimming and diving team, led by swimming alum Danielle Dilts '11 and head coach Jennifer Harnett '93, collected food, clothing, and toiletries for the Toms River Shelters set up following the hurricane. Many members of TCNJ's community donated to the drive, and due to the positive response, the program is extending through Friday of this week. Donations can be left on the TCNJ aquatic center pool deck in the donation bins.
 
“This was a great collaborative event by the team and the community, noted Harnett. “We have personal ties to them not only because we have quite a few swimmers on our team from the shore area, but also because our one of our alumni and former assistant coaches, Danielle Dilts, is from Toms River and asked if the team could organize a donation drive.”
 
The men's swimming and diving team, which committed to one community service project per month prior to the hurricane, is also organizing efforts with team members and their alumni base. They are in the planning stages of a “restore the shore” initiative.
 
Efforts will continue for weeks and months around the state of New Jersey. Individuals interested in getting involved on campus should go through TCNJ Here for Home and go to their site at http://hereforhome.pages.tcnj.edu/get-involved/.