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Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they”

Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.
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“I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care.”

I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!
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“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”

I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.
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“Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”

Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful
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“We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver”

We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.
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“We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now.”

We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.
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In-home Care for Nancy176801
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“We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in”

We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”

Josie J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”

Pamgoldberg
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TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”

Theodore S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”

Leta J.
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“We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”

Carla500226
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TESTIMONIALS

“We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”

Judy367738
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TESTIMONIALS

“We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”

Nancy176801
In-Home Care Bradley Beach, NJ

How does In-home Senior Care in Bradley Beach, NJ work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Bradley Beach, NJ

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Bradley Beach, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Bradley Beach, NJ gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.

Respite Care Bradley Beach, NJ

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bradley Beach,NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Caregivers Bradley Beach, NJ

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Latest News in Bradley Beach, NJ

24 Hours in Bradley Beach: A Hidden Gem at the Jersey Shore

MORE FROM THIS PACKAGE: 24 Hours in Cape May: It’s Worth the Trip Every Time 24 Hours in Asbury Park: A Guide to the Jersey Shore’s Coolest Town...

MORE FROM THIS PACKAGE: 24 Hours in Cape May: It’s Worth the Trip Every Time 24 Hours in Asbury Park: A Guide to the Jersey Shore’s Coolest TownThe Coolest Hotels at the Jersey Shore

My family loves the quiet little beach town of Bradley Beach, which is often overshadowed by its attention-getting neighbors—Asbury Park and Ocean Grove. It offers beautiful beaches, great restaurants and a laid-back vibe, with easy access to nearby entertainment if you’re looking for it.

With a population of around 5,000 people—it can reach up to 30,000 in the summer—Bradley Beach is named for James A. Bradley, the developer responsible for the creation of this town and Asbury Park. It also has the unlikely distinction of being the first place in the United States to charge bathers to access the beach, in 1929.

The town has long been a draw to New Yorkers and northern New Jerseyans. In the 1930s, author Philip Roth and his family, who lived in Newark, vacationed here in the summers, and he wrote about it in his work. A photo of him with his father and brother at Bradley Beach graces the cover of his book Patrimony.

What I love about the beach here is that the sand dunes and grasses provide a lovely viewpoint when you’re lying on the sand, making it seem like you can be just about anywhere. The dunes were installed in the 1990s to help protect the town from damaging winds and tides off the ocean. The decision to construct these dunes proved prescient, as Bradley Beach largely escaped the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Sandy on Shore towns in 2012.

My son Owen and I start our day with a bike ride on the boardwalk, which is permitted before 10 am. We like to ride all the way to Asbury Park and back—about three miles round trip—stopping for coffee at a boardwalk food stand (Bradley Beach’s boardwalk doesn’t have shops along it, as Asbury’s does.)

For a fabulous breakfast, we head to our favorite brunch place, the Buttered Biscuit (700 Main Street), for—you guessed it—homemade biscuits, plus eggs and banana-walnut pancakes. Get here early, because the wait can be long in the summer, and they don’t take reservations.

After our delightful meal, it is time to squeeze ourselves into our bathing suits and head to the beach, to sunbathe and swim in the ocean.

We decide to relax following our bike ride, but if we had wanted a little more exercise, we could have brought a volleyball to play at one of the nets set up on the beach. We’ve also often thought about trying a surfing lesson with the Summertime Surf School (732-599-2700), located on the beach on the Bradley Beach-Ocean Grove border.

For lunch, my family’s go-to place is Fins Tropicali Cuisine—and today is no different. If you’re too lazy to leave the beach, they’ll even deliver there—just tell them which entrance you’re closest to, and they’ll meet you on the boardwalk.

But if you want to dine in, look for the bright-yellow exterior of the restaurant at 120 Main Street. Surfing videos and surfboards set the tone at this laid-back, California-Mexican eatery. My personal favorite is the Bomba Shack salad, which has coconut-sesame battered whitefish served over a bed of mixed greens with seaweed salad and grilled pineapple. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the food is delicious, fresh and reasonably priced.

After lunch, we stopped at the Shipwreck Island Mini Golf course (800 Ocean Avenue) for 18 holes of mini golf right on the boardwalk. This fun spot is popular with families and teens.

Another favorite place in Bradley, great for an afternoon pick-me-up, is Del Ponte’s Bakery (600 Main Street)—perfect if you have a sweet tooth, like Owen. Since 1999, this place has been popular with Shore residents and day trippers alike looking for a cake or a morning treat. We love their biscotti, which come in many different flavors, and the Italian pastries, such as sfogliatelle and lobster tails. Be prepared for lines out the door.

Del Ponte’s Bakery offers delicious Italian pastries like sfogliatelle. Photo: James J. Connolly

Just down the street from Del Ponte’s is another Italian institution in Bradley Beach: Vic’s Italian Restaurant (60 Main Street), where we eat dinner. For more than four generations, this family-owned, red-sauce Italian standby has been delighting customers with its thin-crust pizza, homemade ravioli, chicken parmigiana, and meatball sandwiches—earning it a spot on New Jersey Monthly‘s list of favorite Italian restaurants in the state. Manager Ed Dollive, whose great-grandfather was Vic, says they never change the menu at the restaurant. They also never change the brand of tomatoes that they use for their tomato sauce.

“We like bringing people together with our food,” he says. We feast on pizza, tomato and mozzarella salad, and shrimp cocktail.

Vic’s has been an institution in Bradley Beach for more than four generations. Photo: James J. Connolly

After dinner, we always have room for dessert, so we walk down the street to the Beach Plum (420 Main Street) for some yummy homemade ice cream. Again, if you get there during prime time, expect a line. Grab a treat and settle down at a picnic table out front to enjoy your treat and watch the world go by.

Our last stop is the gazebo at Fifth Avenue on the boardwalk to enjoy live music and cool ocean breezes.

For those who want to spend the night here, Bradley’s first boutique hotel, the James Bradley, opened last year. This lovely place is worth a visit, no matter how long your stay.

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Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance MediaMemorial Day weekend in Bradley BeachPeople hang out on the beach during Memorial Day weekend in Ocean Grove on Saturday, May 27, 2023....

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

People hang out on the beach during Memorial Day weekend in Ocean Grove on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

Emerald Society Pipe and Drums marches during the Memorial Day Weekend Festival parade in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

A person holds a banner for Emerald Society Pipe and Drums during the Memorial Day Weekend Festival parade in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

People walk along Ocean Ave boardwalk next to a line of vendors during the Memorial Day Weekend Festival in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

Friends, from Morris County, play a game of Spikeball on the beach during Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

A surfer floats in the water as a whale breaches the water during Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

Robin DeFelice, left, and Debbie Carlough, Bradley Beach residents, applaud while watching the Memorial Day Weekend Festival parade in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

Rory Magolis, 7-year-old, spends her birthday watching the Memorial Day Weekend Festival parade in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

A group of friends hangs out on the beach during Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

People hang out on the beach during Memorial Day weekend in Ocean Grove on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

Gymnasts from Spartan Gymnastics, in Ocean Township, perform while marching in the Memorial Day Weekend Festival parade in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

A worker throws candy from a construction vehicle while riding in the Memorial Day Weekend Festival parade in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

People walk along the water on the beach during Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media

Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach

People watch a firetruck from Bradley Beach Fire Department pass by during the Memorial Day Weekend Festival parade in Bradley Beach on Saturday, May 27, 2023.Get Photo

Bradley Beach, New Jersey Pursues Digital Transformation

Bradley Beach, New Jersey, Feb. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A transition from paper to digital processes is underway in Bradley Beach, New Jersey where local officials have sought greater efficiency in municipal operations and constituent services. The city recently partnered with ...

Bradley Beach, New Jersey, Feb. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A transition from paper to digital processes is underway in Bradley Beach, New Jersey where local officials have sought greater efficiency in municipal operations and constituent services. The city recently partnered with GovPilot, a Manasquan, New Jersey based provider of cloud-based government management software.

Officials from Bradley Beach are working with GovPilot to implement a number of digital capabilities and public facing forms that aim to make operations more efficient and services more convenient for constituents and visitors to the picturesque shorefront municipality whose population can swell to 30,000 during the summer months.

Bradley Beach is initially utilizing GovPilot to digitize forms and processes for Business Registration, Certificates of Continued Occupancy, Construction Permits, Dog Licenses, Fire Prevention, Open Public Records Requests, Work Orders, and non-emergency constituent concern reporting among other uses.

The municipality has deployed GovPilot’s Report-a-Concern feature which enables residents to report non-emergency concerns such as potholes or general code violations directly via a digital form on the township website, or through an app on their phone, called GovAlert. The app, available to residents on Android and iOS devices is easy to use, and routes citizen concerns directly to the relevant municipal department so that the issue can be resolved quickly.

Mayor Larry Fox said, “I encourage residents to download the GovAlert app on their phones and help us improve Bradley Beach by reporting issues that they come across so we can address them quickly. Digital government services are essential to cost effective public safety and services, and we aim to be responsive to our residents.”

“We have been thrilled to work with GovPilot thus far. The digital processes that we’ve been able to make available both to our residents and to our staff have made a huge difference in convenience and efficiency. It has completely transformed our construction department.”, said Pamela Valentine, a Construction Department Permit Tech.

Michael Bonner, the founder and CEO of GovPilot said, “We are excited to work with Bradley Beach on its early stages of digital transformation. Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act has spurred local governments to implement digital services and operations. In partnering with local governments across the country we have found that digital processes generate significant increases in efficiency and productivity that have a positive impact on local budgets, services, and constituent experience. We expect to see similar results in Bradley Beach.”

* * *

About GovPilot:

GovPilot - named a GovTech 100 company for six consecutive years - is the leader in digital transformation for local governments. GovPilot's cloud-based platform was built with the sole purpose of enabling local governments to operate at their full potential by standardizing, digitizing, and unifying more than 100 operational and constituent service processes on one system.

To learn more visit www.govpilot.com. Follow @GovPilot on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Bradley Beach Woman to Cycle Across Country for Cancer Research

BRADLEY BEACH, NJ — A Bradley Beach woman has dedicated months of training to take part in a cross-country bicycle ride that raises money for cancer. Ashley Pinnola will be riding in the 10th Annual Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer bike ride, a fundraising event sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb.The Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer bike ride will entail 126 Bristol Myers Squibb employees riding in segments from Cannon Beach, Oregon to Long Branch, New Jersey, totaling over 3,000 miles. Pinnola will be riding with her team...

BRADLEY BEACH, NJ — A Bradley Beach woman has dedicated months of training to take part in a cross-country bicycle ride that raises money for cancer. Ashley Pinnola will be riding in the 10th Annual Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer bike ride, a fundraising event sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb.

The Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer bike ride will entail 126 Bristol Myers Squibb employees riding in segments from Cannon Beach, Oregon to Long Branch, New Jersey, totaling over 3,000 miles. Pinnola will be riding with her team for three days from Bend, Oregon to Boise, Idaho, around 80 miles per day.

This is Pinnola’s first time participating in Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer, and while she says she likes to keep an athletic and healthy lifestyle, she has never done anything quite like this. She has been training for the September event since April of this year.

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“I enjoy sports, I enjoy being athletic, but I’ve never trained for anything in this manner — It’s been pretty intense… I have trained up to 100 miles per week in different weather. It’s been a hot summer, I’ve been stuck in thunderstorms and pouring rain,” Pinnola said. “I actually did my first 70-mile ride just a couple of weeks ago. So seeing where I started, having never ridden a road bike, to where I am now, is kind of shocking… But it’s awesome, and I’m proud of myself.”

The ride raises money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a charitable organization that was founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano. In its 30 years, The V Foundation has “awarded over $310 million in cancer research grants nationwide and has grown to become one of the premier supporters of cutting-edge cancer research.”

Riders form teams that are responsible for fundraising for the V Foundation. Pinnola’s team, “Bend Never Break,” is currently in the lead for the most money raised with $80,051. Riders are also responsible for individual fundraising, and Pinnola has raised around $2,700 personally so far, just over half of her $5,000 goal. Overall, the event has raised a total of $554,483 for the V Foundation so far.

The teams, each made up of about 15 riders, also ride their segment together. Pinnola said she is looking forward to being able to ride the 225 mile segment with her teammates.

“I’m excited for the team aspect. We’ve had a couple of practice rides together, and it’s so much easier when riding with the group rather than going solo,” Pinnola said. “We’ll be riding for three days together. It’ll be great to have them to kind of lean on, and to have that support... So I’m excited to bond with my team.”

The ride’s cause especially hits home for Pinnola, since two of her late grandparents have battled cancer. Additionally, her uncle is currently fighting brain cancer. Pinnola said when she feels like stopping during training, she thinks of them and continues on.

“The whole cause is just larger than life. I feel like sometimes with cancer, the amount of people affected by it, it feels kind of hopeless and there’s really nothing you can do,” she said. “But I feel like this is a way I can contribute, and feel like I am making a difference, positively, in cancer patients' lives.”

“I will be riding foremost for my uncle, whose currently fighting brain cancer, and really just everyone affected by cancer. My late grandpa and grandma were also affected,” Pinnola continued. “When I’m feeling like I want to stop, and this has happened through training also, I just think about my uncle. I think about what cancer patients go through, and I can do this. If they can fight cancer I can get through this.”

Pinnola also said that this ride is especially important to Bristol Myers Squibb, not only because it is the ride’s 10th anniversary, but also because the company recently lost an employee to breast cancer. The ride will be in honor of the company’s late employee, and Pinnola will also be thinking about her during the journey.

Pinnola said she’s incredibly excited to see the sights from Oregon to Idaho, however, what is most important to her is “ making a positive impact on cancer research and cancer patients.”

To donate to the cause, you can visit Bristol Myers Squibb’s website here. Additionally, you can donate specifically to Pinnola’s individual fundraising campaign by clicking here. The 10th Annual Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer will take place from September 7 to October 3, and Pinnola’s segment will be from September 10 to September 12.

NJ battles Christian group blocking Jersey Shore beach on Sundays

Sunday is not fun day at this Jersey Shore beach.New Jersey officials are in a stand-off with a local religious group that controls the resort town of Ocean Grove, which says thou shalt not go to the beach before noon on the Lord’s day.Government officials say that is clear violation of the separation of church and state, and sent a warning to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, a Methodist group that operates the beach just south of Asbury Park, earlier this month:“The purpose of this warning is to adv...

Sunday is not fun day at this Jersey Shore beach.

New Jersey officials are in a stand-off with a local religious group that controls the resort town of Ocean Grove, which says thou shalt not go to the beach before noon on the Lord’s day.

Government officials say that is clear violation of the separation of church and state, and sent a warning to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, a Methodist group that operates the beach just south of Asbury Park, earlier this month:

“The purpose of this warning is to advise you of the . . . potential violation and to provide you with an opportunity to voluntarily take corrective actions,” said the letter from Robert H. Clark of the state Bureau of Coastal and Land Use Compliance and Enforcement.

The Christian Methodist group has an unusual agreement with the Monmouth County township that allows it to restrict beach access on Sunday mornings during the summer.

But the state Department of Environmental Protection says the chains and padlocks barring beach-goers on Sunday mornings violate the public-access rules in the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act, according to NJ.com.

The association’s president, Michael Badger, argued that closure “enhances religious and secular quality of life experiences in Ocean Grove,” the outlet reported.

The community group Neptune United has been protesting the closures since Memorial Day, according to reports. Founder Shane Martins said beach goers bypass the restrictions and are confronted by defenders of the Sunday policy. Police reportedly refrain from removing both the barriers and the bypassers.

The camp meeting association has been the center of controversy in the past, the New Jersey Patch reported.

Earlier this year, criticism came after the group rebuilt a cross-shaped pier near the waterfront.

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In 2007, it refused to give a lesbian couple a permit to get married on the boardwalk. They sued the group and won.

Ocean Grove, a small town of about 3,000 residents, is known by some as “God’s Square Mile.”

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