Union Beach Proves Hope Grows on Trees

Hope comes in all shapes and sizes and in Union Beach it came in the form of an artificial Christmas tree pulled from Hurricane Sandy's carnage.

Former Union Beach resident Jim Butler set up the tree under the blanket of night and placed a handwritten sign next to it that read, "Dear Sandy, You can't wash away hope. You only watered it so more hope can grow. Signed, 'Union' Beach."

On Saturday, March 9, the Union Beach Hope Tree was given permanent roots when two local families, the Hornig's and the Mezzina's, donated a living tree. 

The community came together to dig, plant and mulch the new tree before they moved the ornaments from the weathered artificial tree. 

And, the hope will continue to spread, Union Beach Councilwoman Cherlanne Roche told the crowd.

"This isn't just going to be Tree of Hope, this is going to be Garden of Hope, because I want this to go all the way down the trail and I want to put it all over town. With everybody's help, we'll plant flowers and trees and just make the whole town a town of hope," she said.