Battle Of Brick, Shop For A Cause & Sweet Ferns

From time to time people reach out to me with events in their community which they would like me to promote and while I can’t do all today I will mention a few starting with Thursday’s 33^rd annual Helping Hands Benefit Basketball Game which matches Brick Township PBA Local 230 against the Brick “Green Dragons” football team.  The game will be played at Lake Riviera Middle School at 6:30 and like in the past proceeds will go to a pair of local families dealing with financial hardships due to health-related issues.  Billy Paterno is a 2-year old who has been diagnosed with leukemia while John Lynch is a teacher at Brick High School who is recovering from a stroke and needs to have his home become handicap accessible.  Tickets will be sold at the door Thursday and are just $5 for adults and $3 for students.  The early line has the cops as 5-point favorites over their younger opponents.

Seeds of Service is a non-profit in Brick whose mission is to feed, clothe, train, heal and support the needy while collaborating with other community partners. This Friday and Saturday they will host a flea market fundraiser at their center at 725 Mantoloking Road which is just east of Church of the Visitation.  Shop For A Cause will include new clothing, home goods, furniture, books and much more with some great deals.  The sale will run from 9am to 4pm on both Friday and Saturday.  For more visit www.seedsofservice.help.

Next Saturday (May 6) the Master Gardeners of Ocean County are holding a plant sale from 9am to 1pm at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County at 1623 Whitesville Road (Route 527) & Sunset Avenue in Toms River.  Among what you will find are specialty annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, hanging baskets and the Native Plant of the Year commonly known as the sweet fern. Each plant has been gently nurtured from seed to sale. You are encouraged to bring your own cart or wagon and for more information call 732-349-1245 or visit www.mgocinc.org