PHOTOS: With the holiday season near, Harrogate, a Life Care Continuing Care Retirement Community in Lakewood, is utilizing all of their resources in efforts to help clean up and return the Jersey Shore community to normalcy after the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. Since disaster struck, the senior living community has donated food and staff to provide meals to 150 first responders at Seaside Heights Fire Station, and gathered basic necessities for area residents.

Upon receiving a request from the Seaside Heights Fire Station on November 5, 2012, Harrogate’s Executive Chef Joe Alonzo and Dining Services department has coordinated with local chefs including Chef James Costello of Ohama Grill and food suppliers to provide meals to men and women based out of that station. Additionally, former New Jersey native, Chef Joe Ziparo of Ziparo’s Catering & Fine Foods, travelled from Memphis, Tenn. to join the cause and assist his hometown in getting back on its feet.

“During this time of rebuild and clean up, it is important for us all to come together as a community and help our neighbors who are in need,” states Don Johansen, Executive Director of Harrogate. “Every little bit counts, and with these contributions, we hope it will relieve some stress and sadness to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.”

Currently, Harrogate has received donations from a local BJ’s, Via Roma’s Restaurant, a local KFC, Four Seasons Diner, and food service manufacturers and suppliers such as Georgia-Pacific Professional, White Rock Products Corporation, General Mills, Nescafe and New Jersey’s own Excellent Meats.

In addition to the meals, Harrogate’s Green Hat Society, a Girl Scout affiliated resident group, has led efforts within the senior living community to collect toiletries and basic necessities for Ocean County residents. On November 29, 2012, the Ocean County Girl Scout Troop and Harrogate Green Hat Society will fill bags created by the Order of the Evergreen, a Girl Scout alumnae group, with the donated items to distribute to area residents.

For more information about Harrogate or how you can donate items for these causes, please contact Michelle Low at 877-493-3165. TLS.