Ocean County Charity Provides Direct Assistance To Friends And Families [AUDIO]

Friends Helping Friends of New Jersey was launched in 2009 when a Toms River group got together to help out two friends, who were battling cancer.

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Chairman John Townsend said it was a very simple idea of "us just trying to help a friend out. So, every year now, we just pick a couple families that are battling cancer, and we give them the money."

The charity began raising money by holding a year golf outing, which includes a dinner and gift auction. The reception has been staggering.

"It's getting bigger and bigger every year that we do it. People like what we do and it goes directly to the families," said Townsend.

In three years, Friends Helping Friends has raised just over 160 thousand dollars. The number of golfer and people attending has increased every year, as well, with last year's turnout of 180 golfers and 450 people for dinner.

They expect the upward trends to continue for this year's event, which will be held on Friday, October 26th at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood. The outing begins with a shotgun start at 10:00AM. The gift auction and happy begins at 04:00PM.

This year, proceeds will go towards the family of recently deceased State Trooper Detective Sergeant Jim Hoopes, Brick teen Sean Martyn's fight with cancer, and Diane Dudek, who is currently battling various forms of cancer.

"With the way the economy is, people are having trouble paying their bills, their medical bills. Our community's coming together to help these people," Townsend said.

The overall goal is to pay it forward to people in the community with 100 percent of the money going towards direct assistance.

"So I think that that's why the community likes to get involved," he explained, "It's a feel good thing. People like to help other people."

Townsend wants to let anybody going through these illnesses and tough circumstances that they are not alone.

"Until there's a cure for this, we're just going to be there to try to help these people through their treatments and to get them through what they have to get through," Townsend said.

You can find out more about the charity and get all of the details about the upcoming outing by visiting their website.

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