How to Help Union Beach Students

When Red Bank Regional staff first ventured into Union Beach following Superstorm Sandy, they brought counselors to meet with families of the 108 students enrolled at the high school from the town for moral support. What they quickly realized, though, was what those displaced really needed was the basics: food, blankets and clothing.

The school community quickly mobilized and have organized cleanup crews and a clothing and supply drive through the relief effort dubbed RBR Helps "Restore the Shore," and headed by teachers Andrew Forrest and Mandy Galante.

Now they are asking for folks to dig through their attics and crawl spaces to donate musical instruments to replace those lost to Sandy.

According to RBR Vocal teacher Kris Zook, the Memorial School in Union Beach lost all of their musical instruments. Instruments for donation can be dropped off at RBR's Front Desk and they will be delivered to Kris Zook's room for delivery.

Specific Needs:

• 10 Flutes
• 10 Clarinets
• 1 Bass Clarinet
• 8 alto sax
• 1 tenor sax
• 6 trumpets
• 4 trombones
• 1 Baritone horn
• 2 tenor drums
• 4 snare drums
• 1 tama hi hat

Galante told Patch that other items being collected for Union Beach students and upcoming initiatives include:

• Gift cards to Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart or Target.  Specifically because families are telling us that rebuilding is their priority right now, even more than gifts for the holidays.
• RBR student clubs have created a T-Shirt which should be in right after Thanksgiving. The proceeds from T-Shirt sales will go towards purchasing Gift Cards or supplies for affected families.
• PC4U TechDrive - asking for donations of used laptops (with charger), PC, monitor or phone.  The technology students will refurbish and donate to families who have lost their technology.