It’s a tradition unlike any other when it comes to billboard radiothons. 

Firefighters visit Andy Chase at the Ocaen of Love billboard
Firefighters visit Andy Chase at the Ocaen of Love billboard (Townsquare Media NJ)
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Every October Andy Chase of our sister station 105.7 The Hawk gives a week of his time to help raise money for Ocean of Love, a Toms River-based organization dedicated to supporting families in the ongoing fight against pediatric cancer.

Andy, who is the afternoon personality on the station, has been living high atop scaffolding in the parking lot of the Target/Lowe’s Shopping Center on Hooper Avenue in Toms River since 5pm Monday. Every fall when he does this it seems Andy has to deal with less than ideal weather conditions for a day or so but nothing like this as we had rain, lightning and thunder from Tuesday through yesterday. Despite that he (and others from the radio station and organization) dealt with the conditions with the goal as always of raising $105,700 because “it’s all about the kids.”

Finally on this last day Andy gets a break as the sun will shine and temperatures will reach into the 60s.  Speaking of which about $68,000 has been raised going into today which means some $37,000 will need to be donated over the final 12 hours to make the goal which the radio station has actually surpassed time and time again.

Andy Chase inside his tent on the Ocean of Love billboard in Toms River
Andy Chase inside his tent on the Ocean of Love billboard in Toms River (Townsquare Meida NJ)
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The money raised from what is officially called the Ocean of Love Billboard Radiothon is used to help families who are dealing with the horrors associated with children and cancer.  As if the medical challenges are not enough these families suffer even more because of mounting medical bills which often consume their everyday lives.  That’s where Ocean of Love plays such a positive role as they provide financial and emotional support from helping with living and travel expenses to even paying for the funerals of children who lost the fight.

Over the years nearly 500 families have been helped by this truly incredible organization co-founded by Linda Gillick who has been the driving force for more than 25 years. Along with a highly committed Board of Directors and outstanding staff and volunteers nobody would argue against the positive impact Ocean of Love has had in our community. Just ask the families they have in some cases been saved.

So today is our last chance to aid this annual effort and support Andy Chase who comes down from his home away from home at 6pm and would like to do so with a big smile on his face. Feel free to visit him and The Hawk crew and drop off a donation in person today. You can also phone in donations to 1-877-HAWK-1057 or visit oceanoflove.org

 

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