Community Update

Sandy Ground Playground Memorializing Newtown
and Hurricane Sandy Tragedies to Break Ground in Manasquan, NJ

Manasquan, NJ - August 1, 2013 - The New
Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association
Foundation (NJFMBA) will continue The Sandy Ground Project: Where
Angels Play playground project with a formal ground-breaking ceremony at 8 a.m.
Thursday, August 1st at 98 1st Avenue in Manasquan, NJ. 

This will mark the 7th of 26 playgrounds to
be built along the New Jersey, New York, Connecticut coastal communities hit by
Hurricane Sandy.  The ribbon cutting for this playground will
be the following day, August 2nd, at 6 p.m.  All playgrounds are
100% handicapped accessible. 

The Manasquan playground will
be built in memory of Olivia Engel. Olivia's love for butterflies,
dragonflies, boats and the ocean will all be reflected in this beautiful
beachside playground.

According to William J. Lavin, New Jersey
State FMBA's President, the project was inspired by the violence in Newtown,
Connecticut and it is also an effort to restore the storm ravaged east coast
with living memorials to all children who have been victims of violence while
creating safe, fun places for children to be children.

Attendees will include family members from
Sandy Hook Elementary and Newtown, local firefighters and dignitaries along
with FMBA's William J. Lavin, Sandy Ground committee members, Sureplay
International, Giordano Contracting, NJEA, Union County Police, and Fire Pipes
& Drums, the SquanStrong community founded by Dana Connelly, among others.
The public is invited to participate.

Much of the funding for this playground was
provided by SquanStrong, 

a non-profit group created by Manasquan
residents after Superstorm Sandy to help rebuild and restore their community. 

Mary Connors states that "there was
never a doubt, that our beach needed a Sandy Ground playground as part of the
healing process for our Community, our children, and our visitors." 
The NJEA has also made generous contributions for this playground and each
playground for the state of New Jersey.

The playgrounds will symbolize the interests
of children and families who experienced the recent and devastating events. For
more information, contact MaryKate Lavin at 732-499-9250 or
email mklavin@njfmba.org, and visit    www.thesandygroundproject.org.