Belmar’s “Home By Summer” Campaign Raises $50K in two weeks

The Sperber family hopes to be ‘Home by Summer’ with the help of Belmar’s fundraising efforts

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty announced yesterday that the fundraising campaign that he launched two weeks ago to assist the remaining two borough families displaced by Superstorm Sandy move back into their homes by this summer has raised $50,000 of it’s $200,000 goal.

The Keefe and Sperber families sustained significant damage to their homes and have seen the last of the state and federal grant money for Sandy relief programs run out while their home repairs continue to be ongoing and unaffordable.

“The response to this effort has been amazing. Support for these two families has flooded in from all over the country. The initial donations are enough to get contractors back working on these homes and more support is coming in every day. We are building the momentum these families need to get back home by summer.” said Mayor Doherty.

Donations can be easily made through PayPal at www.belmar.com. Donations have been received from individuals living in Texas, California, Illinois and Florida; ranging from $3 – $2,000. All donations have come from those who have been moved by the families stories and motivated to help.

“Just a few weeks ago, I thought our nightmare might not ever end. Now, thanks to the generosity of both friends and strangers, we are looking forward to being home by summer. Words alone could never express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed. But please know, we are so truly grateful and I would hug each one of you personally, if I could.” Said Krista Sperber, mom of the 8^th Avenue family.

Teresa Roberts Keefe, mom of the 14^th Avenue family said, “Although a simple thank you will never be good enough, we truly appreciate the generosity of every donation knowing that we are one step closer to finally being home by summer.”

Early contributions from D’Jais Bar and Grille for $5,000, Maser Consulting for $5,000, M Public Affairs for $5,000 and the friendly Sons of the Shillelagh for $4,000 kicked off the fundraising effort that has now been complimented with grassroots fundraising events hosted by local businesses and performers. Upcoming Home by Summer events include:

March 14, 2015 ~ Danny White at the Belmar Fishing Club ~ 7:00pm

March 29, 2015 ~ Bobby Byrne at the Belmar Elementary School Auditorium ~ 3pm

April 11, 2015 ~ Zumba-thon with DeCarlo Fitness in the Belmar Gymnasium ~ 10am

The “Home By Summer” campaign has The Saint Vincent DePaul Society of St. Rose in Belmar as a partner. They are a 501c(3) non-profit and have opened an account at Central Jersey Bank for the express purposes of raising money and paying contractors for work completed. ALL DONATIONS ARE FULLY TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

Donations can be made online through PayPal by going to www.Belmar.com and clicking the link “Home by Summer” or checks can be made out to “Home By Summer” and mailed to Borough of Belmar, Attn: Home by Summer, PO Box A, Belmar, NJ, 07719