The BERKELEY Times Vol. 29 - No. 40
In This Week’s Edition
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school’s habitat for humanity club hits home
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Photo courtesy Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity Students get hands-on experience for a good cause. By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – Central Regional High School students have been getting hands-on experience with projects that they can really put their heart into. The Habitat for Humanity Club has been taking groups of kids to help people in need, all while learning con-
struction and other skills. “It’s a great experience for the kids,” said Dennis O’Keefe, the club’s advisor. He said he started a club like this when he taught in Long Branch. Then he brought it over to Central. Based on their location, they work with the Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity
and their program manager, Amy Schratz. O’Keefe is the CAD (computer aided drafting), architectural and technical education teacher. In fact, some of the students use their computer designing skills in this capacity with the club. One of Habitat for Humanity’s biggest projects involves home construction for families in need. Berkeley Township, in fact, has donated a number of empty lots in neighborhoods to Habitat as well as money to buy supplies. The town has an Affordable Housing Trust Fund which comes from a permit surcharge on all development – not taxes. When a developer comes in to build homes that are not deemed affordable housing, the town is able to give money to a group like Habitat for Humanity to help people with financial challenges get a new house. Habitat offers several layers of things that the
kids can do, O’Keefe said. They are working side by side with the family in actually constructing the house. Part of the Habitat experience is that the family being helped puts in “sweat equity” by helping the trained construction crews build their own house. One aspect is fundraising. They’ve been working with NextGenTreesUSA where kids sell seedlings and collect a percentage. There’s also the Brush With Kindness initiative. For people who are living in older homes that need some upkeep, volunteers will do painting, landscaping, weatherization and minor repair. O’Keefe said the students have been installing planter beds and cleaning up property. “When kids go out for the day, they’re excited,” he said. “On the ride back, there’s silence as they’re reflecting on the day. They were overwhelmed with what they could do with their hearts and minds.”
Before The Primary: The Most Important Vote
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Andy Kim supporters rallied outside the Democrats’ mini-convention at Central Regional High School.
By Stephanie Faughnan BERKELEY – The primary election is when party members choose who will represent them on the ballot in November. However, there’s a vote that already took place that was possibly even more important. At a mini-convention
of Ocean County Democrats, they gathered at Central Regional High School to vote on who should get the coveted party line. This is the name that will be on the official Democrat column in the June primary. Placement on the ballot is extremely important because many voters just check off box-
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es down the column. Two distinct factions of Democrats focused on the highly anticipated showdown between Congressman Andy Kim (CD3) and First Lady Tammy Murphy, both eyeing the seat to succeed Senator Bob Menendez. Another candidate, Patricia (Vote - See Page 4)
March 23, 2024
Leiter, Frazier, Elias And Edgar Share How They Became Sports Legends
Photo courtesy Tom Naclerio (from left) Al Leiter, Todd Frazier, Frankie Edgar, and Keith Elias meet fans. By Chris Christopher TOMS RIVER - Four sports legends shared their stories, charting their careers for hundreds of people – many of whom were aspiring athletes - at Ocean County College. On stage at Aspirations of a Professional Athlete, which attracted 305 registrants, were ex-Central Regional High School baseball standout Al Leiter, who achieved major league greatness; Todd Frazier of Toms River East American Little League and major league fame; former Lacey and Princeton University football star Keith Elias; and ex-Toms River East wrestler and mixed martial artist Frankie Edgar. Retired broadcast journalist Kevin Williams was the event’s moderator. Leiter, inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame last summer, was a lefty major-league pitcher
from 1987-2005. The two-time All-Star was on three World Series championship teams. Frazier excelled on the 1998 Little League World Series champion East team and was a twotime All-Star. The former Toms River South and Rutgers University standout won the 2015 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby and finished second in the event in 2016. The third baseman was chosen 34th in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Elias enjoyed record setting careers at Lacey and Princeton at running back and competed for the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts. He began his pro career with the Giants as an undrafted free agent. He closed his career with the New York-New Jersey Hitmen of the now defunct XFL. His No. (Sport Legends See Page 8)
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