With less than a month of online donation forms, Belmar has already collected nearly a quarter million dollars as part of its "Buy a Board" campaign.
Raising $231,000 in about a month, the campaign goes directly toward the costs of rebuilding Belmar's destroyed boardwalk, estimated at $6.6 million.
Belmar's boardwalk was destroyed in the surge of Hurricane Sandy, and the borough is using grants, bonds, FEMA reimbursement, possibly increased beach fees and more to help offset the more than $6.6 million cost.
The "Buy a Board" campaign is part of that effort, and the borough has set up donor levels ranging from $5,000 to $25.
Six "Big Kahunas," the biggest donor level, have come forward, Mayor Matt Doherty said.
Board level options are as follows:
- $5,000 Big Kahuna
- $2,500 Surf Rider
- $1,000 Sun Worshiper
- $500 Boogie Boarder
- $250 Board Runner
- $100 Clam Digger
- $25 Beach Bum
Contributors also will be able to have their name and board level displayed on a beach entrance of their choice.
The bigger the contribution, the bigger your name, Doherty said.
"These are nice numbers," said the mayor. "The public is behind this." Belmar is hoping to have the boardwalk reopened in time for Memorial Day.
The forms can now be found on the Borough website at www.belmar.com.
I do not understand why memorial or honor trees can’t be sold to residents and friends to help defray the cost of the project. After all, people are standing in line to buy a park bench in town and we have more than we’ll ever need now. I’d buy a tree but there is no way to do it.