Long Distance: R-FH Grad's Sandy Aid

Kathy Eelman Napolitano will tell you that she's a proud Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (R-FH) graduate.

She grew up in Fair Haven, went to R-FH; and, like most R-FH alumni, she has many treasured memories of summers spent in Sea Bright. She, also like many, went away to college, got married, had children and ended up moving out of state, holding the area in her heart like a keepsake.

So, calling herself a forever Jersey girl who grew up at the shore, the now-principal of a small Catholic elementary school in West Reading, PA, said she reads the Rumson-Fair Haven Patch to keep up with area news.

When she read about Hurricane Sandy's devastating effect on the area, Napolitano decided to send a little love to help renourish the shore she holds so dear.

"My 167 students collected $485.52 (don't ask where the .52 came from!) at a Dress Down Day last Friday, to benefit storm recovery," Napolitano said in an email to Patch. "We decided to send it to Sea Bright Rising. I wanted to thank you for keeping those of us who have moved away, but who will always be 'Jersey girls' (or guys) at heart, informed. Our check, along with cards from my students will be on their way tomorrow."

Sea Bright Rising is a non-profit (501c3) organization formed by another R-FH graduate, in Sea Bright, feeding and equipping displaced Sea Bright residents and workers with three square meals and supplies every day at the Sea Bright Public Beach parking lot.