Life Guard Ecumenical Foundation (LGEF) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2009 by a group of neighbors in Fair Haven, NJ. Our mission is to raise awareness of those around us – our fellow neighbors – that are in need of assistance. Just as a lifeguard sits on his stand and actively searches for those in need, such is the purpose of LGEF. Since our inception, we have organized events (such as neighborhood barbecues and multi-family yard sales) that have raised funds for food gift cards, overdue utility bills, excessive medical bills, and expensive life-dependent medications. Each month, we are committed to finding a local family in need and hosting a fundraising event to benefit that family. We also do more than donate monetarily. We volunteer our time, skills, and resources at such local organizations as the Cub Scouts. Our ultimate hope is to spread a spirit of giving, encouraging other friends and neighbors to add a philanthropic element to their lives and to their community.
OUR GOALS
- Find at least one individual or family each month who is in need of assistance. Provide help that goes beyond what a normal food pantry or basic needs committee might do.
- Network with other charitable groups to identify and help fulfill the monetary or service needs of our community.
- Spread a spirit of giving, encouraging friends and neighbors to "pay it forward".
OUR NAME
As an ecumenical foundation, we reach out to all denominations in hopes of finding the common ground of love in all faiths. Our belief is that if many people contribute a little bit of their time and / or money each month, we can truly make a difference in a person's life.
OUR SUCCESS STORIES
Successful events that have been hosted to honor families in need include the following:
- LGEF hosted a Fourth of July celebration in honor of a little girl from Monmouth County, NJ who is suffering from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Over $1,300 was raised to help this little girl’s family pay their mounting medical bills. LGEF also teamed up with the Knights of Columbus and the community of Holmdel, NJ to host a pancake breakfast, complete with amazing raffle items and a pumpkin painting contest, in October of 2010. This event raised over $20,000 for this family!
- In April 2010, LGEF donated all necessary supplies and spent two days painting a woman’s apartment in Ocean Grove, NJ.
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n September 2009, LGEF hosted its first multi-family yard sale, raising $1,900. A portion of the proceeds was used to buy food gift cards for two local families in need. We also were able to apply for our federal 501(c)(3) status, which we later received. - In June of 2009, LGEF hosted a “Tastefully Simple” gathering in honor of a Middletown resident and single mother. This wonderful woman has a family history of heart problems and had recently lost her job due to her heart condition. LGEF raised $875 in grocery gift cards and restaurant gift certificates as well as a basket of Tastefully Simple food products for her and her family.
- A Fall Gathering filled with football and fun - each family brought bags of groceries to help a family meet their basic daily living needs.
- Pasta Dinner - a night filled with great food and music by Life Guard members while supporting a family in need of groceries. Each family supplied a grocery store gift card in various amounts.
- Soup Tasting Dinner - neighbors gathered to sample a variety of soups while helping a family meet an excessive medical bill after one of the family’s members underwent chemotherapy treatment.
- Spring Brunch – a sunny Saturday morning shared with family and friends over good food, fun and live music. Each family contributed various monetary donations to assist a family in meeting an overdue electric bill. As a result, the family’s electric service was not disconnected.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Life Guard Ecumenical Foundation (LGEF) is currently collecting donations in memory of Judge James A. Kennedy III, father of LGEF Vice President Jim Kennedy. All donations will be used to further LGEF's mission of assisting local families in need.
