Supporting the Community

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

A letter from The Arc of Ocean County:

On behalf of The Arc, Ocean County Chapter, I would like to thank SERVPRO of Manahawkin for the recent sponsorship to benefit Step Up for the Arc Walk in the Park Family Fun Day on Saturday, October 12th at the Lakewood BlueClaws stadium. 

Your sponsorship contribution will ensure the maximum fundraising dollars from the Walk directly support our residential, vocational, and recreational programs and the 1,500 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities we serve. Donations are intended for programs to enjoy a fun experience, or purchase a wish list item. 

We are very proud of the work we do every day with our clients, and we are honored you chose to support our cause. It is through our corporate partnerships that we can continue to grow and serve our community.

Supporting Our Irish Community

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

The weather was great Saturday  for us to celebrate the Irish at the Jersey Shore.

The Ocean County Chapter of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh members were all set to welcome everybody at the 2019 Ocean County Irish Festival this past Saturday, September 7, 2019.  

This was the third year of the event taking place at the Manahawkin Lake Park in Manahawkin. 

The Ocean County Irish Festival is a family event which will included live music, pipe bands, step dancers, kids activities, food trucks, vendors, and a beer tent. 

There were many vendors, entertainment options and most importantly great fun. This is a family event with a great kids playground for the children to enjoy.  

Irishman of the Year
The 2019 Irish Festival honored Daniel Coleman as "Irishman of the Year."  Coleman is the co-owner of Caffrey's Tavern in Forked River.  Caffrey's burnt down last year and this great establishment is being rebuilt. Mr. Coleman is the type of person that the Shillelagh's overwhelming voted to be this years recipient. 

The Order of The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Ocean County is a fraternal organization of men of Irish descent, created to promote Irish Heritage.

SERVPRO of Manahawkin was honored to support the Irish Community.

2017 WOBM Making Miracles Radio-thon

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

2017 WOBM Making Miracles Radio-thon

SERVPRO was very happy to make a donation for one hundred dollars to the Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation through a local radio station fund raising event, the 92.7 WOBM FM Radio-thon.

The Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation assists children in reaching their fullest potential.

Donations support over 30,000 children that are treated at the hospital every year that are affected by various injuries and conditions, including brain injury, spinal cord injury, premature birth and autism. 

Funds raised through the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program go to the greatest need of the Children's Specialized Hospital, such as charity care, equipment and expansion.

Join us this year by making donations at www.childrens-specialized.org

Go Red for Women

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Manahawkin was pleased to be a part of The Mirage's 10th Annual Go Red for Women fund raiser this past Febuary. Over $11,000.00 was raised for this event.

We were excited to be a part of it!

The Arc Bowl-a-Thon

2/10/2017 (Permalink)

The Arc Bowl-a-Thon

SERVPRO of Manahawkin is happy to announce our support in the 2017 Bowl-a-Thon. The Bowl-a-Thon will be a fun night with new and old friends - in addition to supporting a great cause. Come out and support The Arc! 

Continuing Education with SERVPRO of Manahawkin

10/26/2016 (Permalink)

NJ Insurance Continuing Education Course(s), sponsored by SERVPRO of Manahawkin

Yesterday the #SERVPROFamily had an absolute blast at Kristy's in Waretown, where we concluded our fall sponsored NJ insurance continuing education course(s)! We had the chance to meet with many of you personally and have a fun filled learning experience; covering topics such as ethics and emerging issues of insurance and how they apply in today's world with the latest technological advancements.

Certain professions also require continuing education to comply with laws, remain licensed or certified, or maintain membership in an association or licensing body. Overall, continuing education is considered a way for professionals to keep abreast of their fields so they don't lag behind. The team at SERVPRO of Manahawkin are happy we can help in your continuing education process and be sure to check out our next sponsored event this spring, stay tuned for more information! 

Pirates Day Carpet Cleaning Winner!

9/29/2016 (Permalink)

We Picked A Winner!

We were able to get a quick interview from our Pirates Day Carpet Cleaning winner; Elizabeth! We would like to thank Elizabeth for taking the time to answer a few of our questions.

What was your initial reaction after receiving the call?
Thrilled! If you saw my face, you would have thought I won a free car. I couldn't believe I actually won something when I got the call from you.

What are your thoughts of the carpet cleaning provided by SERVPRO of Manahawkin?
Completely satisfied. My house feels so clean now, and it's refreshing. After getting the carpets cleaned by you guys, I now make sure no one goes through the house with shoes on. I want to keep them spotless!

Would you recommend SERVPRO of Manahawkin to others for general cleaning or any other services based on your experience?
100%. I was completely satisfied with the outcome and how good my rooms came out, in fact I'll be using SERVPRO for future cleanings!

In addition, Phil was professional and got straight to work. I also liked how he took his time with everything like I was a normal customer and did not seem rushed because I won a free carpet cleaning. Thanks again SERVPRO!

Sandy Van Epilogue

9/23/2016 (Permalink)

The Sandy Van

Today we say farewell to our beloved ’98 Ford Van we have affectionately dubbed the “Sandy Van”. She got her nickname shortly after she appeared on our doorstep late in 2012.

  Arriving all the way from Fullerton CA under the direction of SERVPRO of East Fullerton/ Placentia, on her own feet, and alongside much newer vehicles, she immediately began service assisting during Superstorm Sandy cleanup, never missing a beat.

  Prior to her service in NJ, Sandy has seen many years of service on the west coast assisting many communities recovering from wildfire and other natural disasters.

   Fearing she would not make the return trip to Fullerton, we adopted Sandy, where she continued cleanup service here for more than 3 years assisting our community through Polar Vortex Events, a Derecho, Flooding from Heavy Rains and Nor’easters.

  This fall, at the end of her service here, Sandy will be taken to be recycled, but not before a picture is mounted on our wall in her honor. Help us celebrate the retirement of a lady and say farewell to Sandy!

SERVPRO of Manahawkin At Pirates Day

9/13/2016 (Permalink)

Our boot at Pirates Day

This past weekend the #SERVPROFamily had an absolute blast at Barnegat’s annual Pirates Day festival! We had the chance to meet with many of you personally and provide information to those that needed help regarding their potential cleaning and restoration needs.

It was also fun to see the young children enjoying our booth and the treats we had for them; you could tell they were trying to get that final burst of adventure before the new school year.

After regathering ourselves from an eventful weekend we will conduct the drawing for our FREE carpet cleaning, and then contact the individual who won! So make sure you keep your phone handy as we will be calling this week to schedule your free carpet cleaning and give your home the deep cleaning it needs leading into the fall.

Giving A Dog A Bone

9/13/2016 (Permalink)

All donated items before delivery.

First and foremost, we would like to thank everyone that participated in our "Give A Dog A Bone" drive to benefit the AHS/Popcorn Park Animal Refuge. This was the inception of what we at SERVPRO of Manahawkin are proud to make an annual event and we are happy that we could share this with everyone within the community. After having a successful launch, we will raise the bar for next year’s “Give A Dog A Bone” drive; aiming higher and higher year after year. So make sure you stay tuned for next year, because we plan on giving every dog a bone in the dog days of summer!

If you would like to learn more about the AHS/Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, please visit their site by clicking the following link: http://www.ahscares.org/

Join Us At Pirates Day

8/8/2016 (Permalink)

September 10, 2016 - 9am - 4pm

Join SERVPRO of Manahawkin At Pirates Day

There will be entertainment for all ages: food, crafters, live music, costume contest and most important PIRATES...  Make sure to stop by our booth and say hello to the #SERVPROFamily!

Event Description:

Event runs 9 am - 4 pm and features over 175 vendors, 2 stages - 3 bands, Sea Dogs, Ye Pyrete Brotherhood & Valhalla Pirate re-enactors, David Engle Pirate School, Parade, children's Pirate Costume Contest and much more. New Car Show Featuring Dodge, Kia

Event was attended by over 15000 people in 2015.

Tips for Safe and Responsible Use of Consumer Fireworks

6/30/2016 (Permalink)

Firework Safety

Recommended Safety Tips

• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
• Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
• A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities.  Never give fireworks to children.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.  Save your alcohol for after the show.
• Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
• Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
• Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
• Never relight a “dud” firework.  Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
• Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
• FAA regulations PROHIBIT the possession and transportation of fireworks in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage.
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

Should we worry about dangerous clinging jellyfish at Jersey Shore?

6/29/2016 (Permalink)

Photo of the Clinging Jellyfish

Concerned over a fisherman’s discovery of a rare and unpleasant jellyfish in Barnegat Bay over the weekend, and a possible encounter between the same species and a swimmer in the Shrewsbury River on Wednesday, state officials took to the water to determine the prevalence of clinging jellyfish in New Jersey.

And they came up with nothing.

According to Gary Buchanan with the state Department of Environmental Protection, none of the dime-sized creatures were pulled out of the water during several towing attempts by the department on Thursday.

“They’re not widespread,” Buchanan told New Jersey 101.5.

Clinging jellyfish are native to the Pacific Ocean. It’s not exactly certain how the species could have ended up in New Jersey’s waters, but it’s been suggested they latched themselves on to ships coming from the West Coast.

This week on Facebook, the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management alerted residents of the presence of clinging jellyfish in the Shrewsbury River. Three unconfirmed jellies were found in the river, where a Middletown man was stung by what was believed to be a clinging jellyfish.

The victim told NBC 4 New York it felt like “every single muscle in my body had a Charlie horse in it.”

Buchanan describes the sting as “potent,” delivering a neurotoxin that can affect muscles and organs.

The good news is you won’t find this species in ocean waters, Buchanan said. Staying true to their name, the clinging jellyfish cling to vegetation found in shallow bay waters.

“Typically, beaches where you have sand bottoms — swimmers don’t have to worry about that,” Buchanan said. “Be cautious if you’re wading in non-beach areas, in the bays.”

Clinging jellyfish typically feed at night on small marine animals, such as zooplankton, according to a DEP fact sheet. It’s an erratic species, meaning it is not often densely populated.

Read More: Should we worry about dangerous clinging jellyfish at Jersey Shore?  

source: (http://nj1015.com/should-we-worry-about-dangerous-clinging-jellyfish-at-jersey-shore/?trackback=tsmclip)

10 Tips for Safe Summer Barbecues

6/28/2016 (Permalink)

Grill Safety Source: (http://www.shopchimney.com/info/sites/default/files/tips.JPG)

Do:

1. Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house. Farther is even better. This includes portions attached to your house like carports, garages and porches. Grills should not be used underneath wooden overhangs either, as the fire could flare up into the structure above. This applies to both charcoal and gas grills.

2. Clean your grill regularly. If you allow grease and fat to build up on your grill, they provide more fuel for a fire. Grease is a major source of flare ups.

3. Check for gas leaks. You can make sure no gas is leaking from your gas grill by making a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water and rubbing it on the hoses and connections. Then, turn the gas on (with the grill lid open.) If the soap forms large bubbles, that's a sign that the hoses have tiny holes or that the connections are not tight enough.

4. Keep decorations away from your grill. Decorations like hanging baskets, pillows and umbrellas look pretty AND provide fuel for a fire. To make matters worse, today's decor is mostly made of artificial fibers that burn fast and hot, making this tip even more important.

5. Keep a spray bottle of water handy. That way, if you have a minor flare-up you can spray it with the water to instantly calm it. The bonus of this tip is that water won't harm your food, so dinner won't be ruined!

6. Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple steps of your grill. And KNOW HOW TO USE IT. If you are unsure how to use the extinguisher, don't waste time fiddling with it before calling 911. Firefighters say many fire deaths occur when people try to fight a fire themselves instead of calling for expert help and letting the fire department do its job.

Don't:

7. Turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed. NEVER do this. It causes gas to build up inside your grill, and when you do light it and open it, a fireball can explode in your face. Click here to see our demonstration.

8. Leave a grill unattended. Fires double in size every minute. Plan ahead so that all of your other food prep chores are done and you can focus on grilling.

9. Overload your grill with food. This applies especially fatty meats. The basic reason for this tip is that if too much fat drips on the flames at once, it can cause a large flare-up that could light nearby things on fire.

10. Use a grill indoors. People often think it will be safe to use a grill, especially a small one, indoors. NOT TRUE. In addition to the fire hazard, grills release carbon monoxide, the deadly colorless, odorless gas. That gas needs to vent in fresh air or it can kill you, your family and pets.

Source: (ABC NEWS) 

Summer Safety Tips: Sun and Water Safety

6/20/2016 (Permalink)

Fun in the Sun

Babies under 6 months:

• The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and to dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However, when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cool compresses to the affected area. SeeBaby Sunburn Prevention for more information.

For all other children:

• The first, and best, line of defense against harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is covering up. Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that provide 97% -100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays), and clothing with a tight weave.
• On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen -- about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

Heat Stress in Exercising Children

• The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat or humidity reach critical levels.
• At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of outdoor activities should start low and then gradually increase over 7 to 14 days to acclimate to the heat, particularly if it is very humid.
• Before outdoor physical activities, children should drink freely and should not feel thirsty. During activities less than one hour, water alone is fine. Kids should always have water or a sports drink available and take a break to drink every 20 minutes while active in the heat.
• Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.
• Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and there should be more frequent water/hydration breaks. Children should promptly move to cooler environments if they feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseated.

Heat Stress in Infants

Infants and small children are not able to regulate their body temperature in the same way that adults do. Every year, children die from heat stroke from being left in a hot car, often unintentionally, with the majority of these deaths occurring in children 3 and under.

Here are a few tips for parents when traveling in a car with infants or young children:

• Always check the back seat to make sure all children are out of the car when you arrive at your destination.
• Avoid distractions while driving, especially cell phone use.
• Be especially aware of kids in the car when there is a change from the routine, ie. someone else is driving them in the morning, you take a different route to work or child care.
• Have your childcare provider call if your child has not arrived within 10 minutes of the expected arrival time.
• Place you cell phone, bag or purse in the back seat, so you are reminded to check the back seat when you arrive at your destination.
• The inside of a car can reach dangerous temperatures quickly, even when the outside temperature is not hot. Never leave a child alone in a car, even if you expect to come back soon. Lock your car when it is parked so children cannot get in without supervision. See Prevent Child Deaths in Hot Cars for more information. 

Pool Safety

• Never leave children alone in or near the pool or spa, even for a moment; close supervision by a responsible adult is the best way to prevent drowning in children.
• Whenever children under age 5 are in or around water, an adult – preferably one who knows how to swim and perform CPR – should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."
• Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.
• Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children cannot reach. Consider alarms on the gate to alert you when someone opens the gate. Consider surface wave or underwater alarms as an added layer of protection.
• The safest fence is one that surrounds all four sides of the pool and completely separates the pool from the house and yard. If the house serves as the fourth side of the fence, install an alarm on the exit door to the yard and the pool. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing the pool. Drowning victims have also used pet doors to gain access to pools. Keep all of your barriers and alarms in good repair with fresh batteries.
• Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook ­– a long pole with a hook on the end — and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd's hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.
• Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children and parents a false sense of security.
• Children over age 1 may be at a lower risk of drowning if they have had some formal swimming instruction. However, there is no evidence that swimming lessons or water survival skills courses can prevent drowning in babies younger than 1 year of age.
• The decision to enroll a child over age one in swimming lessons should be made by the parent based on the child's developmental readiness and exposure to water, but swim programs should never be seen as "drown proofing" a child of any age.
• Avoid entrapment: Suction from pool and spa drains can trap a swimmer underwater. Do not use a pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers. Ask your pool operator if your pool or spa's drains are compliant with thePool and Spa Safety Act. If you have a swimming pool or spa, ask your pool service representative to update your drains and other suction fitting with anti-entrapment drain covers and other devices or systems. See PoolSafely.gov for more information on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
• Large, inflatable, above-ground pools have become increasingly popular for backyard use. Children may fall in if they lean against the soft side of an inflatable pool. Although such pools are often exempt from local pool fencing requirements, it is essential that they be surrounded by an appropriate fence just as a permanent pool would be so that children cannot gain unsupervised access.
• If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first.
• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors.

Boating Safety

• Children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats, docks or near bodies of water.
• Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child. The jacket should not be loose and should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted.
• Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts and air mattresses should not be used as life jackets or personal flotation devices. Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection, and to set a good example.
• Adolescents and adults should be warned of the dangers of boating even as a passenger when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and even some prescription medications.

Open Water Swimming

• Never swim alone. Even good swimmers need buddies!
• A lifeguard (or another adult who knows about water rescue) needs to be watching children whenever they are in or near the water. Younger children should be closely supervised while in or near the water – use "touch supervision," keeping no more than an arm's length away. 
• Make sure your child knows never to dive into water except when permitted by an adult who knows the depth of the water and who has checked for underwater objects.
• Never let your child swim in canals or any fast moving water.
• Ocean swimming should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.
• Teach children about rip currents. If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until you escape the current, and then swim back to shore.

Tips on how to stay healthy during the summer

6/20/2016 (Permalink)

1. Stay cool and hydrated. Drink water, at least two to four cups (16-32 ounces) upon rising, and similar amounts if you are going out for activities and exercise. Carry water with you in a hard plastic container (more stable polycarbonate rather than polyethylene that leaches plastic into the water). You may also use a traveling water filter. Check your local water stores or www.realgoods.com. Most people need two to three quarts of liquid per day, and more in hot weather or with sweating and exercise. Review Chapter 1 of Staying Healthy with Nutrition or Chapter 7 of The Staying Healthy Shopper's Guide for further information on Water.
2. While enjoying the sun and outdoors, protect yourself from overexposure to sunlight by wearing a hat and using natural sunscreens without excessive chemicals. Carry Aloe Vera gel for overexposure and have an aloe plant growing in your home for any kind of burn. The cooling and healing gel inside the leaves will soothe any sunburn. It works great.
3. Keep up or begin an exercise program. Aerobic activity is important for keeping the heart strong and healthy. If you only work out in a health club, take some time to do outdoor refreshing activities -- hiking, biking, swimming, or tennis. Reconnecting with these activities will help keep your body and mind aligned.
4. Enjoy Nature's bounty – fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables at their organic best. Consuming foods that are cooling and light -- fresh fruits, vegetable juices, raw vital salads, and lots of water -- will nourish your body for summertime activities. Include some protein with one or two meals. There are a number of light, nourishing proteins that don't require cooking. Most of these complement fruits and vegetables nicely-- nuts, seeds, sprouted beans, soy products, yogurt, kefir, and cottage cheese. Fish and poultry can also be eaten.
5. Take some special summer time with your family, kids, and friends who share the enjoyment of outdoors. Plan a fun trip if you're able and motivated for a day or longer -- hiking in the wild, camping, playing at the river, or a few days resting at the ocean. Rekindling our Earth connection has benefits that last beyond this season, continuing to enrich the whole of your life.
6. Relax and breathe. You've been working hard. This is the season to slow the pace a bit and absorb the light that stimulates your hormonal message center. Leave your cell phone at home or take a week off from TV. In many European countries, most of the population has a month off during the summer.
7. Sun teas are wonderful. Use flowers and leaves (or tea bags) in a clear half- or one-gallon glass jar filled with spring water. Hibiscus or red clover flowers, peppermint, chamomile, or lemon grass are all good choices, or use your local herbs and flowers that you learn are safe, flavorful, and even medicinal. Leave in the sun for two hours or up to a whole day. Moon teas can also be made to enhance your lunar, dreamy side by letting your herbs steep in the cooling, mystical moonlight. Add a little orange or lemon peel, or a sprig of rosemary and a few jasmine flowers.
8. Nutritional supplements can support you with a greater amount of physical energy, enhancing your summer activities. The B-complex vitamins are calming to the nervous system and helpful for cellular energy production, while vitamin C and the other antioxidants protect your body from stress, chemical pollutants, and the biochemical by-products of exercise. Helpful summer herbs are Siberian ginseng as an energy tonic and stress protector, dong quai is a tonic for women, hawthorn berry is good for the heart, and licorice root will help energy balance and digestion.
9. Use the summer months to deepen the spiritual awakening begun in the spring. Begin by checking your local bookstore or the web for ideas that interest you. Plan a vacation that incorporates these new interests and provides you time to read, relax, contemplate, and breathe.
10. Above all, give yourself the time to truly experience Nature. This can happen, even in a city park, if you relax and let in your surroundings. When traveling, take activities for the family and your first aid kit for bites, bee stings, and injuries. Check for ticks after your hikes. Watch for overexposure, take time in the shade, and drink your water.

Tips for safe Summer BBQs

6/9/2016 (Permalink)

http://abcn.ws/1qH9nWi

History of Memorial Day

5/27/2016 (Permalink)

The History of Memorial Day

Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers.

During that first national celebration, former Union Gen. and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there.

“We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”

his event was inspired by local observances of the day that had taken place in several towns throughout America in the three years after the Civil War. In 1873, New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day as a legal holiday. By the late 1800s, many more cities and communities observed Memorial Day, and several states had declared it a legal holiday. After World War I, it became an occasion for honoring those who died in all of America’s wars and was then more widely established as a national holiday throughout the United States. 

When Is Memorial Day?

In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act and established that Memorial Day was to be celebrated on the last Monday of May. Several southern states, however, officially celebrate an additional, separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead, sometimes referred to as a Confederate Memorial Day: January 19 in Texas; third Monday in Jan. in Arkansas; fourth Monday in Apr. in Alabama and Mississippi; April 26 in Florida and Georgia; May 10 in North and South Carolina; last Monday in May in Virginia; and June 3 in Louisiana and Tennessee.

Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

Summer Fun Activites

5/24/2016 (Permalink)

Good news for those who can't wait for summer to get here (and after the weather we've had this year, that should include just about everyone): Memorial Day weekend is early this year.

As usual, there are a ton of fairs, festivals, superstar concerts, blockbuster movies and other happenings to keep New Jerseyans busy through Labor Day weekend. Here's a rundown of some of the most notable ones.

Click on the link below to find out more about the summer activites happening in New Jersey!!

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/05/nj_summer_fun_guide_fairs_fests_concerts_movies_and_more.html

SERVPRO GOES PINK

5/11/2016 (Permalink)

For the past ten years, Paint the Town Pink has encouraged every woman, 40 and older, to have her annual mammogram. You can join the mission. Help us encourage women in your community to get their annual mammogram.
To encourage women in our community, aged 40 and older, to have their annual mammogram; to raise money to provide underserved women in our community; and to make a difference in the lives of women in our community.
It takes a village to achieve the mission of Paint the Town Pink, and every year that village has grown with more towns and even more supporters helping to spread the word that “early detection is a woman’s best defense against breast cancer.”
Paint the Town Pink merges a breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment campaign with a fundraising component that raises funds to provide screening mammography to underserved women in our community.
As a member of the community, we have the unique opportunity to integrate an important message into a woman’s daily routine – whether it is in the places she shops and dines; works and lives; or through her community’s schools and community organizations.

BNI

5/11/2016 (Permalink)

Our Marketing Representive, John Cafiero being sworn in as a new member at BNI.

Paint the Town Pink

5/10/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Manahawkin has joined the Paint The Town Pink campaign.

Paint the Town Pink's goal is to encourage women in our community, aged 40 and older, to have their annual mammogram; to raise money to provide underserved women in our community; and to make a difference in the lives of women in our community.

Relay for Life

4/29/2016 (Permalink)

 We are proud to Sponsor the Walters Group as they join Relay for Life onMay 20th at the Southern Regional High school in Manahawkin.

"As a team, we are taking action to help eliminate cancer as a major health problem. At our Relay event, we will take turns walking around the track to raise money and awareness to help the American Cancer Society in their lifesaving mission.

Please join our team or make a donation. Saving lives from cancer starts one team, one participant, one dollar at a time."

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY16EA?team_id=1901591&pg=team&fr_id=73333&_ga=1.129517768.55038121.1461782668

National Wear Red Day

1/29/2016 (Permalink)

1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke each year. So we encourage you to join movement to end heart disease and stroke in women because it’s not just a man’s disease. Here’s what it means to Go Red:

G: GET YOUR NUMBERS

Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol.

O: OWN YOUR LIFESTYLE

Stop smoking, lose weight, exercise, and eat healthy.

It’s up to you. No one can do it for you.

R: REALIZE YOUR RISK

We think it won’t happen to us, but heart disease kills one of three women.

E: EDUCATE YOUR FAMILY

Make healthy food choices for you and your family.

Teach your kids the importance of staying active.

D: DON’T BE SILENT

Tell every woman you know that heart disease is our No. 1 killer.

Raise your voice here at GoRedForWomen.org.

https://youtu.be/LVUaM04_1xc

SERVPRO® Named to Entrepreneur’s Top 10 Franchise List

1/28/2016 (Permalink)

Cleanup and restoration franchisor retains top ranking in restoration services category and climbs to #4 ranking overall in the 2016 Franchise 500 rankings 

Barnegat, NJ (Grassroots Newswire) January 19, 2016 - SERVPRO^®, a cleanup and restoration franchise company, maintains its hold on the top ranking in the Restoration Services industry for the 13^th consecutive year and moves up to the number four spot overall in the 2016 Franchise 500 rankings from Entrepreneur magazine.* This is the seventh consecutive year SERVPRO has been included in the magazine’s Top 10 list, standing out in a group of more than 951 franchises that qualified for inclusion in the list. 

Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 selection process uses “objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation” to help would-be entrepreneurs identify franchise investment opportunities. Some of the most important factors considered by Entrepreneur in developing the list each year are “financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system.” 

“It’s exciting to be part of a dynamic organization that continues to grow and strives to always provide superior support for its franchisees, and by extension its customers,” said Christopher Fyrberg, owner of SERVPRO of Manahawkin. “The recognition that the company earns year after year in this prestigious list is confirmation of a commitment to excellence that starts at the top and is evident in the service that each franchisee provides to each and every customer.” 

According to Fyrberg, a number of differentiators set SERVPRO apart from the competition and fuel the attractiveness of the company to both existing franchisees and would-be entrepreneurs looking for a strong business opportunity. Key among these are: 

• SERVPRO’s strength as a brand with a national footprint, wide-spread market penetration, laser-focused brand messaging, and the ability to create national partnerships with organizations such as the PGA TOUR and the American Red Cross.

• SERVPRO’s commitment to being a learning organization, which keeps training and support at the forefront of the company’s culture and philosophy of success and helps franchisees plan, track, and deliver best-in-class services to consumers.

• SERVPRO’s focus on continued development and support for proprietary software and systems to allow the company’s operational capacity to keep pace with an aggressive growth strategy.

  Sue Steen, SERVPRO Industries, Inc., chief executive officer, adds, “One of the potential pitfalls of growing too quickly is outpacing your capacity to train and support the franchisees. SERVPRO^® is a conservative company, and early on we took the time to build a strong system and put the building blocks in place to support growth without sacrificing support to our franchisees.”

  “Today,” Steen continues, “as a mature franchise organization with more than 1,700 locations under a single brand, recognition like this makes it clear we are reaping the rewards of having laid a solid foundation and a framework to handle quick growth. As our brand continues to grow, we will continue our winning strategy of supporting and improving upon our infrastructure and investing resources in training and support.” 

  SERVPRO^® specializes in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, helping both commercial and residential customers recover from property damage emergencies “Like it never even happened.” For more information about SERVPRO^® of Manahawkin, contact Christopher Fyrberg at (609)549-0379 or Diane@SERVPROmanahawkin.com. For more information about SERVPRO^®, please visit www.SERVPRO.com.

Thank You letter from the Barnegat Volunteer Fire Company

1/11/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Manahawkin proudly sponsored Barengat Volunteer Fire Company's "Stop, Drop, and Run" event that took place on September 5th.

Health Insurance

12/8/2015 (Permalink)

We are pleased to announce that SERVPRO of Manahawkin is now offering health insurance to our employees.

Another great reason to join our team!

Check out our career opportunities.