Resident Plans T-Shirt Fundraising for Ortley Beach Community

One of the local communities hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy is Ortley Beach, and a resident there is doing what she can to help her home area and those who also live there.

“I’m in the final stages of having an Ortley Beach ‘Rise UP’ T-Shirt made and hope to have the website for ordering up and running by this Wednesday,” said Meghan Tamasco, a resident of Ortley Beach. “I think that it's a nice positive story about how those from Ortley have come together to help each other during this very trying time.”

Tamasco explained that the concept for the T-shirts was created on a Facebook page for Ortley Beach, and that she contacted the David D. Hammar Foundation, a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization, for help.

“They agreed to help us raise money in any way they could. Not only are they handling the printing/ordering of the shirts for us, but they are creating a website for us to receive donations on,” said Tamasco.

Tamasco explained that many are devastated by what happened to the Ortley Beach community, and wanted to do something positive for the many residents who will be without homes for some time.

“We aren’t a wealthy community, but it was paradise to all of us. I couldn't just sit back and watch the frustration mount, as we’re still not allowed back to see our homes...and I’m hoping that the positive message in these T-shirts (and possibly stickers and wristbands) will help to boost morale and create a community even stronger than before,” Tamasco stated.

Tamasco said that the proceeds earned from the sale of the apparel will be donated either to the Town of Ortley Beach and/or community members who may need assistance.