Here’s a look back at some of our favorite moments from 2022.

2021 kicks off with new vision for Causeway CARes
Causeway CARes unveiled its new vision in February as it seeks to help its neighbors and positively impact the community. Learn more at causewayCARes.com.

Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center receives $250K donation
In March, Causeway CARes donated $250,000 to Southern Ocean Medical Center and will be used toward the hospital’s surgical expansion. Southern Ocean Medical Center has been caring for the community for nearly 50 years.

Nonprofits unite at 3rd Annual Summer in Winter Carnival
Smiling faces, boardwalk treats and games for all. This was the inspiring result of the local community coming together to support 31 nonprofit organizations at the 3rd Annual Summer in Winter Carnival, hosted by The Causeway Family of Dealerships and Causeway CARes.

Causeway donates its 22nd vehicle in May
The donation was made to The HOPE Center in Toms River and was funded in part through a grant from Fulfill. The HOPE Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as a place to address the basic needs of an increasing number of people in crisis.

Hunger won’t win in Ocean and Monmouth Counties
Fulfill, in collaboration with Causeway CARes, hosted a vehicle raffle that raised $71,500 at the 2nd Annual Drive Out Hunger Golf Outing. Carmela Malgeri, an Ocean Township resident, won the coveted 2022 Bronco Sport valued at $33,000.

Joe Stroffolino and Causeway Family of Dealerships receives 2022 MODC Community Service Award
The 57th Annual Silver Gull Awards Dinner was held on May 5 at Eagle Oaks at Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in Farmingdale. Senator Bob Singer, Committee Chair of the MODC presented Stroffolino with the esteemed Community Service Award for his commitment to Ocean County and the State of New Jersey.

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity receives new set of wheels in June
Causeway CARes’ donates its 23rd vehicle to Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity through its CauseWheels Vehicle Donation Program. The donation was funded in part through a grant from the Grunin Foundation. Founded in 1999, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity revitalizes neighborhoods, builds affordable and sustainable homes, and empowers families through successful homeownership.

OCC Foundation unveils Legacy Campaign
Ocean County College Foundation unveiled its Legacy Campaign to celebrate 60 years of academic growth and excellence. To learn more about the Legacy Campaign or to make a donation, please contact Kenneth J. Malagiere at kmalagiere@ocean.edu.

The Wintrode Family Foundation is honored in July
Former President Calvin Coolidge once said, “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the award for what he gave.” A shining example of this is The Wintrode Family Foundation, an honoree at the 2022 Ocean County College Foundation Scholarship Celebration.

The Wintrode Family Foundation was celebrated for establishing the Roberta W. Wintrode Memorial Fund, along with its many generous contributions to the community.

We celebrated our 100th issue in August
What if we made a newspaper? That was the thought that Joe Stroffolino, Director of Advertising and Marketing for the Causeway Family of Dealerships, had in in 2013 after receiving an ad in the mail that resembled a newspaper clipping.

The idea was simple – create a newspaper that Causeway could brand and customize with a mix of informative, localized content and advertising. David C. Wintrode immediately supported the idea.

The presses began to roll, and the masthead read “The Causeway Gazette”. The rest is history!

Julie Bellezza joins OceanFirst Foundation
OceanFirst Foundation welcomed Julie Bellezza to its team as Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator. Bellezza is charged with organizing all aspects of volunteering, including promoting opportunities to all of OceanFirst’s 900+ employees and other local businesses.

September spotlights arts and music
The Community Arts and Music Programs (CAMP) is one of the many programs at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts has helped transform arts engagement in Ocean County.

CAMP was started in 2017 after David C. Wintrode had an idea to create a series of performances for the community that would focus on things that are really fun, but also educational. “Many children never have the opportunity to see live shows,” said Wintrode. “These programs would give school-aged children and individuals with special needs to the opportunity to engage with the arts.”

To learn more about the CAMP series or to reserve your group for a future event, please email Jaclyn Wood at jwood@ocean.edu.

Causeway donates its 24th vehicle donation
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish received a cargo van through the CauseWheels Vehicle Donation. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a parish that has merged into one multi-cultural parish that celebrates and ministers to the diversity of cultures as it continues to strive to be united as one, holy Catholic Church. The Parish Community of Our Lady of Guadalupe includes Saint Mary of the Lake Church, Saint Anthony Claret Church and Holy Family Church.

November delivers a 1, 2 Punch to fight hunger and homelessness
The 5th Annual Causeway 5K, presented by Causeway Family of Dealerships and Causeway CARes, was held on October 16th at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin. The event saw 200 attendees, 80 sponsors and raised $30,000. David C. Wintrode, President of Causway Family of Dealerships/Causeway CARes graciously matched the amount, bringing the grand total to $60,000 – making this Causeway’s most successful 5K to date. All event proceeds were donated to Fulfill and Family Promise of Southern Ocean County.

Grace Calvary Church receives $9,500 grant
Located just one block from the beach in Ship Bottom, Grace Calvary Church was in desperate need for a vehicle to assist its Ocean County congregation. Causeway CARes saw the need and met it with a $9,500 grant to assist the church in its vehicle purchase.

A December to remember for one local parish
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Lakewood received 600 coats through Operation Warm. The donations were made possible through Causeway CARes/The Wintrode Family Foundation, OceanFirst Foundation and The Citta Foundation.