Freehold Organizations Come Together to Help Area Families

The Latino Coalition Foundation and the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life distributed $6,600 to three Monmouth County families whose homes suffered extensive damage as a result of Super Storm Sandy.

The two organizations held a fundraiser at the First Presbyterian Church on Dec. 15. Through an evening of food, and live entertainment, a Freehold family and two Keansburg families received a helping hand from community members.

“The fundraiser was a time of great fellowship and we were pleased to be able to raise some funds to help three needy families,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, co-coordinator of the event along with Lazaro Cardenas. “It is fitting that the funds were distributed on Three Kings Day which commemorates the Three Wise Men and their bringing of gifts to the baby Jesus.”

Suzanne and Kevin Crandall of Freehold and their three children received funds from the Dec. 15 fundraiser after a tree crashed through the second floor of their home causing extensive structural damage. The family is now living in an apartment until a decision is made about repairs to their home. The Crandalls are members of the Latino Festival of Monmouth County organizing committee.

Yvonne Lindner of Keansburg and her four children were also recipients of the donation. Lindner is a congregant of the First Presbyterian Church and the principal chef for the Sanctuary Program, a Coalition program, providing meals during the winter months to the working poor on Fridays and Saturdays. Her home was badly damaged by the storm.

Carmen Rivera of Keansburg and her three children also received donations after their home was flooded with three feet of water. The Rivera family lost all their furniture, clothes and bedding. Rivera is an employee for many years of the Hispanic Affairs Resource Center.

"The Graeme Preston Foundation for Life would like to thank the Coalition for presenting us this opportunity to work together and to help these families who have done so much to help others in our community," said Lester Preston, a member of the Board of Director of the Preston Foundation.