FEATURED PHOTO: This is where caption text will go for featured photo. As a general note, captions should also be inputted into the caption section within the media library to help meet ADA compliance. CREDIT: Photographer Name (hyperlinked to their website or whichever landing page they prefer).

Did you know that government subsidies do not cover the cost of soap and other essential toiletries? Stacy Wiener learned this when volunteering at the Bradley Pantry where she witnessed families requesting soap and shampoo along with food. She found a way to distribute soap to the underserved population in a way that is kind, and preserves the dignity of the recipients. Stacy put her talent for knitting and crocheting to good use and created Soap S.A.C.K. (Supporting A Community with Kindness) three years ago. The concept is simple. Festive soap sacks are crocheted or knitted, filled with a bar of soap, and completed with a tag containing a heartfelt message. They are then distributed to food pantries, housing centers, veterans clinics, social service agencies, relief efforts and charities. What started as a local effort has blossomed into a national and international phenomenon. Meet Stacy Wiener to learn how a simple idea in Monmouth County gained traction around the world.

CM: How did S.A.C.K. initially get the sacks made and distributed, and how has it grown?

Stacy Wiener (SW): When I started S.A.C.K. in 2017, I was the only one crocheting/knitting sacks and purchasing the soap to fill them. After reaching out to several local knitting/crocheting groups and explaining the S.A.C.K. mission, they began to make soap sacks for me. However, I was the only one who was donating soap sacks to shelters, pantries and social service agencies, primarily within Monmouth County. A local story was picked up by USA Today two years ago, and within hours, I was receiving emails from all over the country asking me if they could do the same for shelters and pantries in their communities. As you can probably guess, I said YES!! Now there are volunteers in EVERY state as well as Canada, Asia, Europe and Australia. More than 100,000 soap sacks have been donated globally! I am so incredibly lucky to be part of this important mission of extending kindness, one sack at a time.

CM: Tell us about your family and whether they are involved in helping.

SW: My son, Aron, 18, just graduated from the Engineering Academy at Red Bank Regional and will be attending University of Pittsburgh as a Chemical Engineering student.  My husband, Bob, retired from Johnson & Johnson two years ago. We have two coonhound pointer dogs—Choliy and Molae. Aron coordinated a soap drive at RBR during his junior year. Bob is the “back office guy” (his words) for S.A.C.K. He has been solely responsible for the paperwork to get the 501c3 status, trademarking the logo, setting up and maintaining the website, etc.

CM: What are some of the challenges of S.A.C.K.?

SW: I am always in need of soap. It has been especially challenging since COVID—personal hygiene is more important than ever.

CM: What would be your dream way of advancing S.A.C.K.?

SW: I want to continue to inspire people to be part of the S.A.C.K community…and have soap sacks donated all over the world, so a corporate sponsorship, or an appearance on television, or other way to reach a large audience and advance the cause is my dream.

CM: Do you have any hobbies when not working on S.A.C.K?

SW: Besides knitting and crocheting, I love to read and walk the boardwalk. I live two blocks from the beach—I am definitely a Jersey Shore Beach Girl.

CM: Favorite quote?

SW: “Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.” Kevin Heath

CM: How can CM readers get involved?

SW: We appreciate the help! Readers can visit SoapSacks.com for sample patterns and information. They can coordinate soap drives, donate to S.A.C.K. through the website, donate soap through Amazon, (where we also have a Wishlist) as well as donate craft store gift cards to help offset the cost of yarn. We are also on Facebook (@SoapSACK) and Instagram (@soapsacks).

FEATURED PHOTO CREDIT: Cathy Padilla

After twenty years in the corporate world, Laura leveraged her teaching and mentoring skills to open Class 101 Monmouth County in Hazlet to help families and students navigate the college admissions process. Laura is passionate about helping high school students find their future, and shared information and tips about college planning and applications.

CM: How does Class 101 help students and families?

Laura Ciccone (LC): Simple – we make college planning simple! We are the first comprehensive college planner in our region.The admission process has become so complex it is hard to know WHERE and WHEN to start. As a mom to a high school-aged child, I know how time consuming and frustrating the process can be. As parents, we do not want to be nagging our kids for three to four years to keep on top of planning for college. At Class 101, we work with students 1:1 to connect all the dots and make the process enjoyable for families – no nagging involved!

CM: What are students/parents most surprised to learn about the college admission process?

LC: For parents, it is how much has changed. Back in the day, we started the process at the end of junior year/beginning of senior year, received all communication via US mail, either hand wrote or typed our application, applied to a couple of schools and visited those schools maybe once before accepting. Today, students apply to an average of six to ten colleges, write anywhere from one to fifteen essays, and visit their top colleges two to three times. For students, it is how many colleges are actually out there. I spend many months with my students helping them find which of the 4000 colleges are a good fit for them.

CM: What is the benefit of working with Class 101 during the college planning process?

LC: For 23 years, Class 101 has been providing personalized, 1:1 services to help students and families navigate everything from identifying a college major to developing a college list to the presentation of their college applications. Our expertise and passion have helped more than 6,500 students attend over 400 colleges and universities, and earn more than $482 million in scholarships!! We are here to manage and guide you through the process, so your family can spend time together on what really matters.

CM: When should students start planning activities for college?

LC: Ideally freshman year. I know, kids are just learning how high school works! But your college application is a summary of ALL your high school years, not just junior year. Freshman and sophomore years are all about laying the foundation. I frequently get calls from juniors in January, asking what they need to be doing before applications open in August. It is hard to go back in time to create a good foundation. <h5″>CM: With the current pandemic, how has college planning changed? LC: Unfortunately, the Class of 2020 is taking the brunt of pandemic impact. We are seeing many recent graduates decide to attend college closer to home, either community colleges or state schools, than originally planned. For the Class of 2021 and those thereafter, not much has changed – we continue to help them find the right college fit – academically, personally and financially.

CM: Favorite quote?

LC: “Do something today your future self will thank you for.”

CM: What one tip should readers remember about the college application process?

LC: Early engagement in the process is a game changer! When it comes to maximizing college and scholarship opportunities, the earlier the better.

CM: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

LC: I love to travel but definitely do not do it as often as I would like right now. Work and kids keep me busy at the moment. When I am not working you will usually either find me on one of the many east coast soccer fields watching my daughter play, or entertaining family and friends in our backyard.

TZ: What is your proudest achievement in business?

SI: Being named in the Who’s Who in Men’s Hairstyling in 1970 after winning second place in Hairstyling for the State of New Jersey in 1968. Also, cutting a client’s hair until he was 104 years old.

TZ: What was your biggest challenge?

SI: There was no hairstyling for men in Monmouth County in 1963. We were the first to introduce it. We heard someone in Patterson was doing it and we went to him and to NYC for training. It was not easy at first. Men resisted the change. We held classes at Red Bank High School and once the mothers saw their sons with new haircuts, they started sending their husbands. The phone rang off the hook! There was also no hairspray for men. One of our clients was a chemist and made the product for us that we used.

TZ: What has changed with cutting hair through the years?

SI: Many stylists only use clippers. I still use scissors as a way to get a better cut and layering for my clients.

TZ: What has been your philosophy in business?

SI: My motto has always been to treat people with respect. As a result, clients are more like good friends than customers

FEATURED PHOTO: Franki DeSaro & April Martines | CREDIT: Abby Devey

The divine and destiny are constants throughout their story and led them to cofound a sanctuary for single mothers, children, and animals, firmly based in faith and positivity. The Sanctuary is already helping families, and the vision is to expand to a residential program.

CM: What is the mission of Light to Earth Sanctuary?

Our daily mission is to lovingly awaken each person towards their God-given purpose, by supporting their inner healing journey- physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Our organization also helps animals and is Christian based, although we joyfully serve single mothers, children, families, and welcome volunteers, from all faith backgrounds. All feel welcome and at peace on the land; we are family.

CM: What types of events/services are held at the Sanctuary?

Many families at our farm have endured domestic violence, addiction, poverty, homelessness, loss of a loved one and much more. Presently, we offer one day workshops on art, cooking, and fellowship, and host retreats of various kinds on the farm for single mothers and their children. This year we created an organic community garden and all of the harvest will be donated to local families. Annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at the farm are magical experiences full of so much joy, gratitude, and love. Fellowship gatherings are personally one of our favorites. Believers of all denominations join to sing, make music, and pray for one another. Afterwards we all feast, laugh, rest, and enjoy life together over a shared meal.

CM: Describe the farm, and how it became the location.

The farm is surrounded by breathtaking views of rolling hills, a true oasis of God’s creation on earth. Although we do not yet own the farm, the owner, Avram Schmied, a 72-year-old Jewish man, has lovingly allowed us to serve families here since 2018. He told us, “This is a very special piece of heaven right here on earth” and is grateful that his vision for the land’s “destiny and greatness” will continue. We are presently seeking to raise three million dollars to purchase the farm and call it our home! There is a custom built 6,500 sq. ft. three story home with apartment quarters, an 18, 000 sq. ft. barn/meeting space, two cottages, two working windmills, spring fed pond site and two fenced in pastures for horses, a shed with a root cellar, organic herb and vegetable garden, one acre poplar forest, and an underground fresh spring.

CM: What is most rewarding?

We love seeing people from all walks of life: diversity in ethnicities, faith beliefs, and experiences coming together to serve and support alongside one another. We did not realize we would also touch the lives of many of our team members and volunteers, who also have shared the varied struggles of our families. Some special memories include a young boy’s declaration that this had been the best day of his life and the other children begging their moms to stay or return soon. Some children had never seen the stars, the moon, or horses before! One mother shared she had not seen her daughter this happy in a long time. Another was hosting a fellowship gathering for women in recovery and seeing their hope. There is no greater reward than knowing and seeing love, joy and healing on the faces and hearts of those we serve.

CM: What is the biggest challenge?

Raising the funds to purchase our farm, and gathering the needed people-a grant writer, non-profit accountant, and a professional fundraiser-in order to reach the next level of our mission to create a 1-5-year residential program. Please visit our website to read our full miracle story and for ways to donate, join our team, attend our gala and more: lighttoearthsanctuary.org, or email us to schedule a farm visit or learn more here.

CM: Favorite Quote

“Faith doesn’t make sense, it makes miracles.”

ARTICLE: Provided by MCF

FEATURED PHOTO: Mrs. and Mr. Ward de Groot are pictured in front of their home on the farm in Colts Neck. | CREDIT: Jena Cosimo

Claire de Groot remembers moving to the farm on Route 34 in Colts Neck in 1936 when she was six years old. At that time there was farmland as far as the eye could see. “I have so many cherished memories from this land,” Claire remembers. “We used to go ice skating in the pond, that was back when ponds still froze,” and “at one time I actually had a pet skunk,” Claire chuckles as she fondly recalls.

Claire de Groot moved to the approximately 60-acre farm with her family 83 years ago when Colts Neck was a sleepy, rural town where practically everyone knew each other. She met her husband while attending Red Bank High School and the couple raised a family with four children, moving every two years due to her husband’s career in the United States Navy. Now married 67 years, the farm has been the backdrop for a lifetime worth of memories. “We always referred to the farm as our homeland,” recalls Claire. “It was always a place where time seemed to stop, and we could spend endless hours together enjoying the outdoors.”

“From all the places we lived, this place always felt like home. It was always like a little slice of heaven to us,” Claire explained. “We knew that we could never allow this beautiful land that holds so many cherished family memories to become covered with houses.” Throughout the past 83 years Colts Neck transformed from a rural farm town to a desired, residential estate community. Although the area still retains much of its rural character, thousands of homes have been built and thousands of acres of natural land have been lost forever. However, Claire can now rest assured that her family farm will never be developed.

“We knew we wanted to see the land preserved,” explained Claire, who made the decision to preserve their family farm, not once, but twice. First, when the family preserved 20 acres in 2005 and now the remaining 40 acres, forever uniting the 60 acres as their family farm, forever. “Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) is so pleased to see this beautiful piece of farmland preserved,” explained William Kastning, Executive Director for Monmouth Conservation Foundation. “MCF partnered with the State Agriculture Development Committee, the County of Monmouth and the Township of Colts Neck for funding to purchase the development rights on the farm and ensure it remains protected from development.”

“We are so happy that the de Groot family chose to preserve their farm,” explained Holly Boylan-Flego, President of the MCF Board of Trustees. “We hope that more farm owning families will follow in the de Groot’s footsteps and choose to preserve rather than develop their land.”

“Our decision to preserve the farm is something that gives me peace when I go to bed at night,” Claire remarked. “No matter what happens, this land will remain a farm and part of the community.

Meet Anna Landre, a recent valedictorian of Freehold High School and now a junior in the prestigious School of Foreign Affairs at Georgetown University. Anna calls herself a “disabled woman” but challenges us to view disabilities not as afflictions or defects to overcome, but rather as a normal part of human diversity. Anna has spinal muscular atrophy type 2 which causes progressive muscle weakness and breathing difficulties. She requires a wheelchair and 16 hours of assistance each day to aid her breathing, her use of the bathroom, and getting in and out of bed. Georgetown nursing students assist her, and this successful home health arrangement allows her to live independently, attend classes, and maintain a 3.9 GPA all while writing a column, Discussing Disability, for Georgetown’s publication The HOYA.* What began as a report on Anna’s intrepid fight with her insurance company to preserve her life-saving care, has evolved into an eye-opener on the perceptions and myths of what it means to be disabled. She is an eloquent and thoughtful spokesperson for what she deems an often-overlooked minority.

“I stopped drinking coffee in the morning,” recalled Anna. “It wasn’t because I wanted a caffeine detox or a switch to tea. Instead, my insurance company was threatening to cut my aide services. I was trying to reduce my drinking to a minimum, preparing myself for the fact that soon I might not have someone to help me to the bathroom when I needed it. For disabled Americans like me, devastating cuts in care are almost routine.” The dreaded devastating cuts did arrive last year. Despite no changes in her circumstances, the insurance company declared it was slashing the permitted aide services to 10 hours per day. It did not matter that the cut would require Anna to leave her college program, her internship opportunities, and her goal of a productive, independent life. “Each battle upends my life and that of my family,” said Anna. “I had to appear in court to defend my need for aide services against the testimony of a team of corporate lawyers sent by my insurance company. In what was possibly one of the most humiliating situations of my life, I was interrogated about every nuance of my disability in front of a courtroom, desperately hoping that the judge — who has no medical expertise — would believe me when I explained my own needs. The worst part is knowing fights like this will never end; for the rest of my life, I’ll be dreading a letter in the mail telling me that my care is gone for good.”

The administrative law judge did overturn the cut and ordered the insurance company to reinstate the 16 hours. The relief was short-lived. The New Jersey Division administering the Medicaid program reversed the judge’s ruling and reinstated the 10-hour maximum. This action precipitated Anna’s year-long battle, challenging the reversal and exposing the processes too many other students also face. A settlement was finally offered restoring her care, but Anna was reluctant to accept it because she worried others would not benefit. She signed on only after Senator Vin Gopal (Monmouth County) urged her to accept the deal, promising to pursue legislation to end the problem.

What does Anna feel our society gets wrong about being “disabled”? When reflecting on growing up with the disabled label, Anna realized a disability is not viewed as one’s identity. “The word carried a heavy negative connotation, implying someone who was to be pitied, cared for, and protected,” shared Anna. “It wasn’t an identity; it was a defect. Disabled people are America’s largest minority. For other minority groups, we tend to understand that their adversity is caused by external factors. For disabled people, the source of adversity is assumed to be internal, caused by some sort of medical problem. Many difficulties that disabled people face are not inherently caused by their disabled body, but instead by their environment. For example, the fact that I can’t walk is a problem largely because I can’t use stairs and thus do not have access to certain places…In other words, stop feeling sorry for me because I can’t walk upstairs and start helping me build a ramp instead.”

Anna pointed out the power of the media plays a large role in shaping our perceptions. “Pitiable and pathetic disabled characters exist either to convey another character’s charity or an emotional lesson for the audience.” Or, there is what Anna describes as “the super crip” stereotype, whose narrative is consumed by the pursuit of ‘overcoming’ the disability, implying that a person must eliminate disability to achieve success. Anna believes true acceptance of disabilities may gain ground if the media begins to help reshape the narrative.

Through her own life choices and experiences, Anna demonstrates her belief that success is not incompatible with disability. At Georgetown, she and others are working to create a Disability Alliance on campus to build community among disabled people and allies, practice activism, and educate others. And there is no summer break from action. She spent this past summer in Brazil in a cultural and language immersion program through the US State Department’s Critical Language Scholarship program. In Brazil, Anna experienced many access issues but found the people to be very helpful. Her favorite parts of the experience were perfecting her Portuguese and working with a non-profit focused on advocacy and services for the disabled. The summer before, Anna interned with a public relations agency in DC. This led to another legal issue. “The internship was my first paid job, and getting a paycheck meant that I almost lost all my Medicaid services. I’ll be in quite a dilemma when I graduate from college–do I start an entry-level job with an income that will be too high for me to legally keep my disability services but still too low to actually allow me to cover those costs on my own, or do I just forego ever having a paid job, essentially throwing away a degree (which I’ve taken loans to fund!)? I’m racing against the clock to try and change these regulations before I graduate.”

What is next for Anna? “I’d like my future career to entail fomenting the inclusion of people with disabilities in both the United States and developing countries, particularly in Latin America. People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority, and populations are even greater in developing countries. And since one of the most successful legislative exports of the US is the Americans with Disabilities Act, our country is uniquely positioned to help. Though, as I learned in Brazil, we also have a lot to learn from other countries.”

After decades working in the medical field as a nurse, teacher, and hospital specialist to doctors, she and her late husband created their own Real Estate Development Company. But it wasn’t until she took her first ballroom lesson that Patti found her true spark in life and her love for competing in Ballroom Dance Competitions. Ranked first in the U.S. in American Rhythm and second in the world in the same category, meet your neighbor – Patti Izzo.

My history with dancing:

I had ten years of ballet, tap dancing, jazz, and gymnastics classes. Along the way, I always danced in front of the television while watching Dancing with the Stars. I was mesmerized by the show! I studied and copied the female dancers on TV while wearing my character heels from doing community theater. I decided I had to find a ballroom to take lessons, and Brian Stark, a gifted professional teacher, returned my call in 2011. Brian, who is from Indiana, became my teacher and is my competitive dance partner to this day. I had never taken a step in Ballroom-type dancing before, though I did have one advantage – my parents were avid social Jitterbug and Swing dancers, though they had no lessons. They were very musical and very happy people. My dad also played the piano but did not take lessons.

Why I started to compete:

I have been actively competing in Ballroom Dance Sport for eight years, and it has improved my life tremendously on many levels. I stay physically and mentally fit and look forward to performing our choreography in beautiful costumes. Dance also allows me a healthy break from the everyday running of my company. The traveling and socializing itself, is amazing. The feeling of belonging to an international ballroom family is indescribable. That alone would be enough, but to win World and National Titles, and many other unexpected awards in my divisions is the best feeling in the world! I have made lifelong, precious friends, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

My dancing went international at the Blackpool Dance Festival in Blackpool, England: 

When the Blackpool Executive Board decided to open the competition up to couples who were professional/amateurs, we competed. I wanted to make history just to say we were there on that inaugural day and danced on that sacred floor. We made the podium and placed second. We won a World Title on the debut of professional/amateurs competing in Blackpool, England in our American Style Division. This past May, we returned to Blackpool and were fortunate to receive another World Title placing second again. It was a dream come true. A few months ago, we competed in Prague, Czech Republic, and placed in the top five. This is our eighth year competing around the world and I couldn’t ask for more.

Why I recommend Ballroom Dancing to everyone, especially those who are my age: 

I’ve spent most of my life taking care of the health of others, and now I recommend Ballroom dancing as a Life Changer for so many people. There are so many styles and levels to choose from. One phone call took me from dancing in front of the TV to creating so much fun. And traveling the world with incredibly talented and amazing people is more than I ever expected. This pulled back the curtain on a secret world of beauty, skill, and fun. Take Ballroom lessons and live your best life! Find your Joie de Vivre!

The renovation is so elegant. What did this entail?

Bill: We hired designers and worked for eleven months in preparation, and this July, two 18 wheelers arrived filled with furniture.

Denise: We wanted a more relaxing environment.

Bill: The colors and everything else were designed to create a comforting environment, and a bright one to encourage conversation, as opposed to just rows of chairs. We always noticed people moved the chairs and tried to create conversation areas.

What is the most satisfying part of the funeral profession?

Bill: Truly the helping, being there when someone has a major catastrophe in his or her life, and every death is a catastrophe. Whether the person is 90 or unfortunately young, every loss is important. When you lose someone elderly they may have been with you 60 years of your own life- that’s a challenge. Being there, helping them clear their thoughts and honor their family member’s existence in this world is very gratifying.

What are the challenges?

Bill: It is always the emotions. There are people you know, or a young person, or a tragic situation. They call me for guidance, support and trust. I can’t be emotional myself. We have to be there to help them and when it’s over, it’s our time to let it go. We have to figure out how to do that and that’s a tough trick.

What do you do outside of business to relieve the stress?

Bill: Golf! And travel to B&Bs. We have dinners out a lot with this schedule.

Denise: I like to read, and travel but I do not play golf. I like to walk.

Bill: Don’t walk with her- you will be running, her walking pace is a run.

FEATURED PHOTO: This is where caption text will go for featured photo. As a general note, captions should also be inputted into the caption section within the media library to help meet ADA compliance. CREDIT: Author Name (hyperlinked to their website or whichever landing page they prefer).

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Photo, above: Back row, left to right: Joe Sparaccio, Thomas Vates, Brian torpey, Tom Sannelli, Randall Paulikens, Tony Shay, John Frattellone, Steven Seneca, Leo Reich, Mitch Abrams. Front row, left to right: Jennivere Kenlon, Alana Barofsky, Murielle Steven-Walsh, Joan Osborne, Cindi Van Brunt, Jessica Mazur