Paul Hulse

It's truly heartbreaking to see and hear about how so many of our brothers and sisters in the community have fallen on hard times and in some cases, have nowhere to live, nowhere to sleep, nothing to eat, nothing to use to keep warm.

The conversation has only just begun, the work to help and serve the poor and homeless is a continual mission in Ocean County, the Jersey Shore and beyond.

Ocean County is the only county in the state not to have year round transitional housing for the homeless.

Haven/Beat the Streets, a non-profit who serves the homeless and needy in Ocean County is turning to the skies above in thanks for those who've supported them and hosting an event August 24-26 at Huddy Park in Toms River.

Ahead of tomorrow's annual point-in-time count of individuals who are homeless, various organizations have been preparing to offer services to those in need, so they can turn things in a better direction.

This weeks freezing temperatures aren't likely the last time we'll see code blue alerts activated over the next couple of months in New Jersey.

Forget breakfast at home next Saturday and come into the Applebee's in the Ocean County Mall to help support Haven/Beat the Streets of Absecon and Toms River in their fundraiser July 22.

If you're stranded in the rain, snow and winds - or the power drops out at your house - or you just don't want to be by yourself when the weather's raging - you've got a landing spot in the center of Toms River.

As the weather becomes colder, many families in South Jersey struggle to find food and warmth to survive the chills of winter, but the non-profit organization 'Haven/Beat The Streets' hopes to help those in need in their 2nd Annual Winter Relief Event on November 17.