First Lady Christie Names Toms River Pair First of Her "NJ Heroes" This Year

Toms River's Jean and Clark Paradise could have retired quietly. Instead, what began as a labor of love has developed into Your Grandmother's Cupboard – an organization that helps about 1,200 New Jersey senior citizens, homeless people and working poor every month.

First Lady Mary Pat Christie announced the octogenarians are 2011's first New Jersey Heroes. Christie, wife of Gov. Christopher Christie, visited the Paradises in the cupboard's Roslyn Plaza location.

“Jean and Clark are true New Jersey heroes,” Mary Pat Christie said in a press release. “Wanting to help those less fortunate in their community, they answered a call to action, demonstrating that no matter what your age, you can still make a difference in the lives of others. They set an example we can all follow and I am proud to name them New Jersey Heroes.”

Reached at home Monday afternoon, the Paradises appreciated the recognition and enjoyed meeting Christie, who spent almost an hour on Friday meeting volunteers and even pitching in at the cupboard.

"She was so gracious and so delightful," Jean Paradise said. "She stood next to me and folded clothes for about 45 minutes."

Jean Paradise retired as a technology teacher from Toms River schools.

"She's so warm and not like a celebrity at all," said Clark Paradise,  a former executive director for New Jersey Easter Seals and other non-profit groups. "We were honored, obviously, and flattered."

Jean Paradise credited countless volunteers with helping the cupboard collect and distribute items people need.

"It's so much fun to be able to give people something to make them smile," she said. "And it keeps us out of mischief." 

Christie announced in December she would name a New Jersey Hero each month to showcase positive ways people and organizations are helping others in New Jersey. The initiative started with Gov. Christie's inauguration in January 2010 when four New Jerseyans were recognized for making a difference.

Your Grandmother’s Cupboard got its start five years ago after the Paradises had worked with a local pastor to serve the homeless in a nearby tent city community.

The couple discovered that, while food pantries and shelters do what they can, there was a gap in getting non-basic necessities for good health and hygiene to those who could not afford it. Through the kind donations of fellow New Jerseyans donating everything from money and supplies to trailers to store the goods, Your Grandmother’s Cupboard got its start.

Today, Your Grandmother’s Cupboard operates from locations in Toms River and Phillipsburg, bringing  diapers, clothing, shoes, blankets, household and personal items to those who need it most.

The cupboard is located in Roslyn Plaza, 173A Rt. 37 West. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Saturday by appointment; it is closed Sunday and Monday.

You Grandmother's Cupboard serves communities in Garfield, Passaic, Paterson, Hoboken, Dover, Phillipsburg, Easton, Edison, New Brunswick, Trenton, Jackson, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Toms River, Seaside Heights, Bayville, Forked River, Swainton and all surrounding areas.

Your Grandmother's Cupboard also is a NJ 211 responder organization, which means volunteers and vehicles respond to emergency calls within two hours. To learn more about Your Grandmother’s Cupboard or to donate goods or money, contact the organization through www.yourgrandmotherscupboard.org.

Every month, Christie will designate a new local hero from nominations submitted by residents through her website. Heroes can be anyone – teachers, sports coaches, entrepreneurs, neighbors etc. – who shows pride in himself or herself and tries to make the state a better place.

To nominate a hero, go to the bottom of the page at www.nj.gov/governor/firstlady and click the NJ Heroes tab. Follow the application instructions.