Community Corner

LS Work Party Helps Wounded Warrior in Union Beach

The group of 20 volunteers pitched in to help clean up the storm-damaged home of a soldier who lost both of his legs in an explosion while serving in Iraq.

In 2009, a group of volunteers from Little Silver joined a work party in Union Beach to help build a home for a disabled vet whose legs were blown off while serving in Iraq.

They returned a few times to help build ramps to accommodate Army SSG Michael Minard, 26, while he was temporarily living at his in-law's in Keyport, and to build his new home with the group Homes For Our Troops.

And when they heard that Minard's home, which he shares with his wife Lynda and two young daughters, sustained damage during Superstorm Sandy, the group returned Sunday, Nov. 18 to help with the clean up.

Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Little Silver's Doug Glassmacher, the efforts to aid Minard were spearheaded by fellow resident and professional contractor Hugh Dougherty, who also brought along a few of his eight children to assist.

The one-story ranch sustained "serious flooding," said Glassmacher, and required all of its flooring to be torn out.

Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A meetup group was formed by AJ McNally, also of Little Silver, to help bring potential volunteers together. Those interested can visit NJ Shore Sandy Peninsula Volunteers to learn more.


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