'Hurricane Sandy Wrap Party' Begins at Ocean County Mall Friday

Volunteers will be wrappin gifts in the Ocean County Mall on Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22 as a fundraiser to benefit two local Hurricane Sandy shelters.

After Hurricane Sandy hit, Robin Enquist McAndrew and a friend were dropping off food at the Lacey United Methodist Church in Forked River and King of Kings in Manahawkin.

Since then McAndrew coordinated a fundraiser that started as a local event and grew much larger. McAndrew coordinated a group to wrap holiday gifts with all proceeds going to the two churches.

“We saw the need and people are not getting as much as they were when it first happened,” she said.

Once she created a Facebook page, the fundraiser expanded to the Ocean County Mall and now Boscov’s is setting up six tables for gift-wrapping on that Friday and Saturday. Boscov’s is also providing supplies.

Volunteers will set up at the tables outside of Boscov’s. Those shoppers who purchase gifts on those dates can proceed to the tables to have them wrapped, while making a donation.

In the end, McAndrew will write out two checks and present them to the churches, both of which have been serving the communities greatly since the storm, she said.

The event will take place Dec. 21 from noon to 7 p.m. and Dec. 22 from noon to 4:30 p.m.