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SHORE DREAMS FOR KIDS: A day at the bay for friends and fun

THE BRAVE WIN

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 07/22/07
BY HARTRIONO B. SASTROWARDOYO
STAFF WRITER

SEASIDE HEIGHTS — With cars lined up on Bay Boulevard and nary a parking spot to be found, and with the deep rumbling of boat engines in Barnegat Bay, it could have been just another Saturday in a borough known for family fun.

But it wasn't just another day.

The annual Shore Dreams for Kids was held Saturday in the northern section of Seaside Heights. It was a day for about 650 New Jersey Special Olympics athletes, special needs children, and children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as their families, to enjoy themselves in vintage car rides, a boating trip and a carnival-type event, said David Patnaude of Toms River, Shore Dreams director.

"I liked the tow truck," said Daniel DeAngelis, a 6-year-old from the Ortley Beach section of Toms River.

That tow truck, a 1929 Chevy, was among other vehicles — mostly vintage and antique, but also including a 2008 Ford F-350 pickup truck and a futuristic, orange Lamborghini — parked along Bay Boulevard. In one parking space was a 1939 Mercury sedan, still bearing a "Roosevelt for President" sticker; in another was a 1952 Ford coupe, complete with a tray of faux drive-in food perched on the driver's-side door.

A nearby baseball park was the site of games staffed by members of the Elks' southeast district, including those from the Brick and Jackson posts. Elks members shouted words of encouragement and congratulations, and handed out various prizes. The Characters dished out musical entertainment, while ShopRite provided the food.

"It's really great," said Loren DeAngelis, Daniel's father.

"There's no charge, the kids have fun, and there's lot of prizes," DeAngelis added, shouldering a clear knapsack full of his son's winnings.

But for some, the biggest thrill was the chance to take a ride in a cigarette boat — or a quieter Boston Whaler — courtesy of members of the New Jersey Performance Powerboat Club, of which Patnaude is president. The boats cruised on Barnegat Bay, from the Seaside Heights municipal boat dock, over to Berkeley's Bayville section, before turning around.

"When they come off the boat, they're really excited (from the ride). You can see it in their faces," said 15-year-old Beth Miller of Toms River, a Toms River High School East student and volunteer from the Together Everyone Achieves More peer-leadership program.

Among those who gave rides was Jim Mattera, a Holmdel resident and owner of a cigarette boat.

"Seeing those faces, it's the greatest feeling in the world," he said.

Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo: (609) 978-4581 or [email protected]

That's great !!! :drink:

Be sure to check out all of the 500+ photos from the day's event.

Shore Dreams For Kids Photos

I want to thank all of those people with the very impressive hardware that showed up to give these kids rides, show off their Hot Rods as well as all of the volunteers that helped out on the dock and land.

Thank you all !!!

Tim what a great day we had and so many kids :) (650) thanks for shooting so many pictures I saw you everywhere. We thank all that helped out and volunteered there valuable time it was a perfect day.

It was a great day! Nothing beats all the smiles on the kids faces! Kudos to the whole Shore Dreams crew who put together a very special day!

Anytime Joe!

I'll do whatever I can to try to capture the moments to preserve them forever.

Thanks to Dee, many kids were able to take some photos home with them.
She set up her laptop and printer for (on-the-spot) printing.
Very cool! :drink:

I could not do it without the help from Mama Dukes & Ms Dukes.

Tim, Thanks for capturing the day with me! I don't think we missed a moment.

Just seeing the smiles on their faces, makes it all worth it. A little goes a long way.

To see more of the day go HERE

That is just awesome you guys/gals. Nice to see people doing things like this.
Brandon