Now that the Lakewood BlueClaws season is underway so is Home Runs for Heroes, which in its 7th year. The program is a joint effort between the OceanFirst Foundation, BlueClaws and WOBM and supports local military-based charities. Each time a BlueClaws player hits a home run at FirstEnergy Park the OceanFirst Foundation makes a $1000 donation to the charity matched with that particular inning. Entering this season more than $145,000 had been donated through this program.

This year’s participating charities who support our military members are their families are Army Emergency Relief, American Recreational Military Services, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, National Guard State Family Readiness Council, GI Go Fund, Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund, Chariot Riders, American Red Cross (Jersey Coast Chapter) and Vetgroup. Each group gets an automatic $1000 to start the season and so far the BlueClaws have hit two homers, both in the 4th inning which belongs to the National Guard State Family Readiness Council so they’re up to $3,000. For more visit blueclaws.com.

WOBM and Townsquare Media will be among those honored Saturday night during Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County’s Mentoring Works Annual Gala. Held at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Toms River, the event will also honor Southern Ocean Medical Center, Toms River Kiwanis Daybreak Club and Dr. Kenneth Kerr who will receive an inaugural humanitarian award in his name.

I first met Kerr when he was the Dean of Students at Ocean County College in the mid 70’s and he is among the most honorable people I’ve known in my lifetime.
He is also the individual most responsible for the existence of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Ocean County and an award in his name is a fitting tribute.

The Seaside Heights Beach Patrol is holding open tryouts for lifeguards who want to work on one of the summer’s busiest beaches. You must be at least 16 years old and have to complete a 500 meter swim in under 10 minutes without stopping. The swim test will be given on the next three Sundays (April 19, April 26 and May 3) at 6pm at Toms River Fitness on Route 37 East. Applicants must be USLA certified but the Beach Patrol will help those who pass the swim test acquire the needed certification.

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