The Eye Center in Jackson, in the Jackson ShopRite Plaza, 260 North County Line Road, is collecting old eyeglass frames as part of the Lions Club of Jackson’s program to combat blindness around the world. Those who bring in their old frames will get $100 off their next eyeglass purchase during November. Dr. Rajeev Raghu, the optometrist who owns The Eye Center, said there is a large bin for people to drop their old frames in anytime during office hours. No appointment is necessary. The center is open Sunday through Tuesday and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dr. Theresa Berger, CEO of Ocean Health Initiatives, has announced that several building projects are now complete, owing to a $4.7 million grant opportunity from the Facility Investment Program (FIP), made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The improvements to OHI’s current service sites in Lakewood and Toms River will meet the growing demand for health care services and will increase access to quality health care for the medically disenfranchised patient populations of Ocean County. The FIP funding expanded OHI health care centers by a combined 20,100 square feet, including 32 new exam rooms. At the Lakewood site, this funding paid for the addition of a new 8,000-square-foot OB/GYN and pediatric wing above the existing building. The renovation and alteration of existing clinical space added 7,300 square feet.
The Lakewood Development Corporation board of trustees has awarded two microloans of $35,000 each to Urban Enterprise Zone businesses. Serenity Health Group Management LLC, 426 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, is a mental and behavioral health care company made up of licensed mental health professionals that provides services to long-term care and assisted living facilities. Serenity Health Group Management will use the microloan to hire additional employees and increase its working capital. The second microloan was awarded to Set Your Table LLC, 916 River Ave., Chateau Plaza shopping center, Lakewood, a specialty boutique offering dinnerware, fine china, flatware, stem ware and table linens, among other items. Set Your Table will use its microloan to expand lines of merchandise and hire additional staff.
Visiting Physician Services has recognized the gerontology board certification of Dr. William T. Swart Jr., a house-call physician treating elderly and homebound patients throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties. He resides in Jackson and is a Navy-trained, board-certified family physician and gerontologist. Prior to joining Visiting Physician Services, Swart served as the medical director for the Combat Medical Team for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. He was also the senior medical officer and physician for the U.S. Navy Medical Corps at Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst. Visiting Physician Services, headquartered in Eatontown, is a physician-based organization providing house-call services to elderly and homebound patients.
Margaret Cocuzza of Brick Township, a certified family nurse practitioner, has joined the staff of Ocean Health Initiatives, a federally qualified health care center with locations in Lakewood, Toms River and Manahawkin. As a family nurse practitioner, Cocuzza will work with the medical staff to manage all aspects of patient care, including physical exams, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. She will also monitor protocols to ensure effective patient care and best practice outcomes.
The Center for Health Education, Medicine and Dentistry (CHEMED) has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund through its 2011 New Jersey grant initiative. One-time grants were given by the fund to alleviate economic challenges and sustain organizations that favorably impact children across New Jersey. CHEMED’s mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the health status of underserved and vulnerable populations through outreach, disease prevention, and patient education activities. The $25,000 grant for CHEMED was earmarked to support “Miles of Smiles,” a partnership between CHEMED, the Ocean County Health Department and the Lakewood Board of Education to provide dental cleanings and screenings to local children.
The Investors Charitable Foundation, which provides charitable funding to notfor profits that enrich the communities served by Investors Bank, has awarded a $5,000 grant to Strand Ventures Inc. The grant will help the organization offer scholarships to at-risk youths. Strand Ventures operates a comprehensive performing arts center in the historic Strand Theater in Lakewood, a 1,042-seat venue that has hosted some of world’s most renowned performing artists. The theater is also home to the Strand School of the Arts, which offers art education courses throughout the region. The charitable grant will provide $500 scholarships to 10 at-risk, financially disadvantaged youths. The scholarships will enable them to attend an eight-week semester of art education classes during the autumn season.
Free Motion Rehabilitation Center, 528 New Friendship Road, Howell, is holding a supply drive to benefit the Toms River animal facility. The supply drive will run during November. Some of the requested items are dog treats, leashes/collars, brushes/grooming tools, pooper scoopers, crates, toys, kitten bottles, KMR formula, catnip, litter, and kitten chow. New or gently used towels and blankets are needed, as well as cleaning supplies, including Pine Sol, laundry detergent, paper towels, mops and hand soap. Drop-offs are welcome between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. For a complete list of what is needed and how to donate, or get involved, call 732-901-8844 or stop by and speak to Jenny Murphy.