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A Quicktake:

The 10th legislative district offers a fulfilling experience for those seeking to serve the community. The district provides encounters with inspiring individuals who possess determination, energy, and a unifying spirit. Governor Jim Florio’s quote emphasizes that “community” goes beyond proximity, encompassing shared values. Notable figures in the district include Sue Keogh, a mother of seven, who demonstrates resilience while contributing to various roles.

The nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity also plays a significant role, with exceptional volunteers like Joseph “Dick” Read, who dedicates his time and expertise to Habitat despite personal challenges. Assisting Habitat and witnessing families move into affordable homes brings fulfillment, as the organization offers a “Hand Up, Not Handout” through a screening process and financial responsibility. Toms River Fitness, led by the Lynnworth and Rand families, creates a sense of family. Despite tragic circumstances, the Lynnworths turn adversity into the positive impact of “Team Randy,” helping young people with special needs. Ray’s bicycle tour to gather support for the Team Randy bus exemplifies the community’s generosity and unity. The individuals mentioned in the text represent the spirit of service, inspiring the desire to run and honor those who make a difference in families’ lives and the community.

The 10th Legislative District

The 10th legislative district has a population of about 230,000 people. The most fulfilling part of running to serve the district is crossing paths with inspirational people. Finding inspirational people is as easy as opening your eyes. For whom do I run? For all of those people with determination, energy, and the spark that serves to unite all of us. I think of a quote from Governor Jim Florio:

“Like tolerance, community is a value. One that has meant a lot to who we are. We can define the word ‘community’ in a lot of different ways. But certainly, community has to mean more than just a group of people who happen to live near each other.”

Inspirational People in Our Community

Let’s start with my friend Sue Keogh. You have probably seen Sue speed-walking all over Toms River. Watching Sue enjoy her gloriously long speed walks all over Toms River would lead you to believe that she has not a care in the world. You would never know that she is the mother of seven fantastic children, including quintuplets. Like so many, Sue and her husband Jim moved their large family from Northern New Jersey to Toms River to find a little elbow room. They sure needed it, raising their seven children. The two oldest are contributing mightily to our communities; one is a boilermaker and the other is a registered nurse. The “quints” are succeeding as college students and new graduates about to launch out into the world and start their lives and continue the family tradition of service to the community.

The Multitalented Sue Keogh

On top of serving as the drill sergeant and family chef, Sue manages to work as a paraprofessional assisting students with special needs in both our public schools and in a private childcare facility. She also works on the Seaside Park Beach Control in the summer and finds more time to volunteer at St. Justin’s Roman Catholic Church on Fischer Boulevard in Toms River. Sue’s impressive speed-walking symbolizes her tremendous zest for living, family, and community.

Habitat for Humanity

I am a fan of the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity, especially the motto, “A Hand Up Not A Hand Out.” I have been fortunate to offer the local chapter, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, a hand on legal issues. In my volunteer capacity, I have met the most fantastic people from the underpaid and underappreciated leadership and staff to the incredible number of volunteers who work to construct houses for needy families, repair homes for veterans and senior citizens, and run the Restore, a sort of thrift store, for household goods.

From my interactions with Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, I could select so many folks to feature, including my friend Dave Applegate, a renowned civil engineer, Suzan Fichtner and Kristine Novakowski, who both served as the executive directors during my volunteer service, or Michelle Pardes, who served as chair of the board, President of Congregation B’nai Israel in Toms River, while working full-time as a single mom recovering from breast cancer and lymphedema.

The Unstoppable Joseph “Dick” Read

I want to focus on the undisputed king of Habitat volunteers, Joseph “Dick” Read. Well into his 90s, Dick could have very comfortably retired and lived a tranquil life. He had built an engineering powerhouse and sold the business to a large corporation. Instead of tuning out, Dick put his talents to work on an often full-time volunteer basis. He has served as a board member, chairman of the board, finance chair, not to mention engineer and construction manager without limitation.

Even after suffering serious injuries in a terrible car accident, Dick persists in using his powerful well of knowledge and impressive drive to push Habitat forward. I am a great admirer of Dick. When a legal issue comes up, it would be common for Dick to meet with me to go over the mission to make sure that Habitat’s goals were clear and our game plan was solid. When it came to negotiating fees for our legal services, Dick drove a hard bargain. Leaving no stone unturned, Dick and I always agreed with pleasure on our fee: zero.

Fulfillment Through Habitat

This does not mean I was not paid for my work. Assisting Habitat is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my personal and professional life. I am watching a family move into a new home that would serve the current generation and the next. The great folks that get a Habitat house are getting the ultimate “Hand Up, Not Handout.”

First, they are chosen by a screening committee that assesses a number of factors, including need and the ability to meet the financial obligations of the home. The home is sold to the new homeowner. The payback is based on a family’s ability to pay rather than a market price. Indeed, the money paid by the homeowners gets recycled back to the program in order to fund the next Habitat miracle. Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity produces miracles, and invariably this accrues over time to benefit the larger community. I am full of gratitude for all Habitat leadership, staff, volunteers, and homeowners – especially Dick Read.

My Favorite Gym

I am a body-to-mind guy. What does that mean? If I do not sufficiently beat up my body, my brain does not work. Over the years, that has meant running a marathon in every state, trail riding a bike from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., and more recently, competing in powerlifting competitions. When not competing, you have to train. I have worked out in many gyms. By far, I have spent more hours at Toms River Fitness than any other gym.

Toms River Fitness and Team Randy

The proprietors of Toms River Fitness are Ray and Shelly Lynnworth along with their daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Kevin Rand. Many businesses employ the word “family” in their branding. Toms River Fitness embodies the term. The location is known to host one of Toms River’s most interconnected fitness families. The members who work out form a sort of familial connection. The strong bond is based on encouraging fitness goals and watching each other succeed. Toms River Fitness is a big part of the community led by the founders Shelly and Ray. They have had so much to share and celebrate. Shelly serves as the cornerstone of the Toms River fitness family as chief cheerleader to members and staff.

A ‘The Little Engine That Could’ Type of Community

However, Ray and Shelley, Jill and Kevin endured the ultimate tragedy in the early death from brain cancer of Ray and Shelley’s son Randy. Rather than crawl under the bed and stay there, Ray and Shelley turned a tragedy into a charity called “Team Randy.” Team Randy serves young people with special needs. From working out at the gym to outings in the community, Team Randy’s members are treated with dignity and respect.

Key to Team Randy is the Team Randy bus used to transport its members and staff. When the bus broke down and needed an expensive new engine, Ray and Shelley kicked into action. There are many amazing community partners that would help out. Shelly’s bright smile and twinkle in her eye were enough to get anyone to want to help her. Ray marches or should I say “rides” to his own beat.

Ray’s Ride and Community Support

When the bus broke down, rather than call people or drive around town to ask for help, Ray hopped on his bicycle and rode around to the generous businesses in the community to share the dilemma of a kaput Team Randy bus. Within hours of riding around, Ray had accepted donation pledges which would lead to the quick purchase of the new bus engine at a cost of some $18,000. Now, who could install this massive engine? As day gave way to night, Ray rode up Route 9 to Grone’s Wrecker Service. In minutes, Larry Grone had agreed to accept delivery and install the new engine for the impecunious cost of free.

Embodying “The Little Engine That Could”

We are all fans of the childhood book about “The Little Engine that Could”; Ray, Shelley, Jill, and Kevin, in concert with the community, are the embodiment of “The Little Engine that Could.” They created a family within the community brought together by a need for fitness, coffee, and community. We run to honor the “doers” who serve families and the community.

Thanks to Horn Law Group, LLC interns Noah Hilsdorf and Dillon Uhrig.