Oceanport Shows Its Heart Through Eagle Scout Project

Thanks to a collaboration with the Oceanport-based Kortney Rose Foundation, local resident Clark Halpern now has more than 135 Eagle Scout project hours under his belt, along with the sweet feeling of success.

As part of his Eagle Scout project, Halpern teamed up with Kortney Rose to deliver 1,125 toys to kids in the pediatric cancer unit of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"I knew I wanted my Eagle Scout project to make a difference to individuals, and I knew that partnering with The Kortney Rose Foundation would allow me to help sick kids," says Halpern.  “A toy drive to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) meant that more than fifty volunteers walked door-to-door to distribute flyers to every home in Oceanport.  Even with Hurricane Irene in the middle of the collection time, I came home every night to new toys on my porch, often with notes sending good wishes to the kids at CHOP.”   

Kristen Gillette, Founder of The Kortney Rose Foundation, and Oceanport resident, always welcomes new ideas to support pediatric cancer research and the well-being of the kids at CHOP. , who died of a brain tumor in 2006.  Focusing on pediatric brain cancer research, the Kortney Rose Foundation has donated more than $378,000 in support of CHOP and its programs.

 “Clark’s idea was to ask the whole town to donate toys.  I don’t think either one of us expected the outpouring of love shown through the toy drive.  I know the children being treated will feel that love when they get one of the wonderful toys, art supplies or games that Oceanport residents generously donated.”

Last week’s delivery was exciting. 

“The lobby was crowded with all the boxes, but no one seemed to mind,” reports Halpern, “I was told they would start being distributed the day we dropped them off.  I was thanked many times, but really the thanks go to the people of Oceanport who all pitched in.”