Patch-Smart Businesses Claim Free Listings

Here's a shout-out to some local businesses that are learning how to reach new patrons on Matawan-Aberdeen Patch

Do you want to enhance your presence online this year and reach new customers for your local business? For free? Every local business gets a space on Patch. We've already done the legwork to create it for you. If you haven't seen it, we'd be happy to show it to you. If we missed you, we're ready to add you. And if you claim it, you have more control over how your business is presented online. These folks have recently claimed their listings on Matawan-Aberdeen Patch: A Patch listing gives your business a voice on Patch. Find it and click on the"claim it" button to become an active user. Your friends, neighbors and potential new customers get a better sense of who you are, what your business offers and what your community means to you. HOW …

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Matawan Aberdeen Cub Scouts to Compete in Pinewood Derby

Cub Scout Pack 66 will race their Pinewood cars at the Matawan Municipal Community Center.

This story was written by Den 7 of Cub Scout Pack 66 as part of their effort to earn their Tiger Badge. Matawan Aberdeen Cub Scout Pack 66 will race handmade cars at their annual Pinewood Derby on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Matawan Municipal Community Center.  The event will begin at 6 p.m. and races will begin promptly at 6:15 p.m. Participating in the Pinewood Derby teaches scouts about good sportsmanship and following directions, Robert Kee, Cub Scout Pack 66 Cubmaster, explained. "It's also a good activity to work with your parents on or with your grandparents, or an uncle or an aunt," he said to the scouts. There is a first, second and third place trophy for each age group that races, Kee explained. There will also be four additional …

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Michelle Sassa

12:53 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

Thanks Chelsea for working with the boys to learn about news reporting. What a great experience!   more ›

RAINE Foundation Receives $25K Grant from UnitedHealthcare

UHC noted RAINE's enormous part in the local Hurricane Sandy relief efforts as part of the reason they donated the funds to them.

UnitedHealthcare gave the RAINE Foundation a $25,000 grant on Tuesday to help the Hazlet-based volunteer organization continue their relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Mike Fabozzi, RAINE Foundation President, expressed his appreciation for the donation, noting that the foundation plans to focus on helping school communities that were devastated by the storm.  "We've already done a lot with Union Beach Memorial School," he said. Fabozzi explained that RAINE set up a school for the approximately 700 displaced students twice, first at St. Catherine's and then at Holy Family. The foundation also donated a number of items to the school, including 45 computers, printers, fax machines and school supplies.  The foundation, however…

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Mr. Green Tea and Porta Organize 'A Night Out to Restore the Shore'

Tickets are limited and selling quickly, organizers say.

Help support relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Sandy with a night out in Asbury Park with friends. Mr. Green Tea, a Keyport-based business that hand-crafts ice cream and desserts for retail sale and restaurants across the country, and Porta, an Asbury Park restaurant and night club, together present 'A Night to Restore the Shore' on Jan. 22. The evening will include a four-course meal and drinks, entertainment by local musicians and a silent auction. The night begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost $100 per person.  All of the proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will go to Waves for Water (W4W), as well as 15 percent of the proceeds from the bar. W4W is an international relief organization that is operating in shore …

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Keyport Bayfront Business Cooperative Events Committee Meeting

Business owners and residents are encouraged to attend with ideas and questions.

Could Blue, Linus or Dime Be Your New Best Friend?

Volunteers say adoptions have been slow since Hurricane Sandy.

Castle of Dreams Animal Rescue (CODAR) is an Aberdeen-based, non-profit canine rescue group that takes in dogs from high-kill shelters and puppy mills along the east coast and works to find them any necessary medical attention, foster care and a forever home. This week CODAR has sent Patch seven dogs looking for a permanent, loving home. If you are interested in adopting any of the animals in the slideshow, fill out the application online atwww.castle-of-dreams.com.

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Saturday: Habitat For Humanity Benefit Show For the Bayshore Area

McDonagh's Pub will host a Habitat For Humanity Benefit Show for the Bayshore Area on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m.

Christmas Tree Offers Hope, Sense of Community to Union Beach

On the corner of Jersey Avenue and Shore Drive sits a Christmas Tree with a simple message: With hope, Union Beach will rebuild.

James Butler drove through Union Beach in shock the day after Sandy left the Bayshore community in shambles. As he took in the damage, he saw what he thought might be an artificial Christmas Tree jutting out of the mounds of debris and muck near the intersection of Jersey Avenue and Shore Drive.  A few days passed before he mentioned on his private Facebook account that he was thinking about setting it up the next time he drove by. His friends encouraged him to do so, but it wasn't until he experienced the power of hope that he set up the tree. "I was gutting a widow's house that I know. She had lived there for thirty or forty years and she was going through belongings of her husband who passed away many years ago. It was just tough," he …

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Book Drive Benefits Union Beach's Memorial School

The K-8 school lost its library during Sandy.

The Matawan-Aberdeen Chapter of Hadassah is collecting new or very gently used books to help restore the library at the Memorial School in Union Beach.  New or very gently used books appropriate for students in kindergarten through eighth grade can be brought to the Matawan Aberdeen Public Library. A collection box is located near the reference desk.  According to Library Director Kimberly Paone, donations will continue to be collected throughout the holidays.  "They lost everything," she said. "It's just great to be able to help them rebuild."

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