|
Signs Of Hope
Manchester Teen Makes Billboards To Help Abused Seniors
By Kim Fink
 | | --Photo By Kim Fink Cory White, at left, was recently honored by the Zonta Club and township officials for his efforts to promote an anti-elder abuse hotline. White did the work as part of his Eagle Scout project. For more photos, visit www. micromediapubs.com. |
|
Like most Boy Scouts, Cory White recognizes the importance of reaching out to community members who are in need of help. That's why, in an effort to make Eagle Scout, the Manchester teen has committed to a year-long project in hopes to stop elder abuse in Ocean County.
White has spent the last 12 months constructing and posting signs throughout Manchester, displaying a hotline number for anyone who is suffering from, or knows a victim of, elder abuse.
"It was a big project but I'm happy with the results," said White on Wednesday at a meeting in his honor.
Members of the Zonta Club of Ocean County arranged for a meeting with White at the location of his largest billboard on Colonial Drive in Manchester, to honor him with a certificate and thank him for all his hard work.
In attendance were Town Council members, Mayor Michael Fressola and members of the Zonta Club of Ocean County, a service organization dedicated to helping advance the status of women.
"A few years ago, we were made aware of the large number of individuals in Ocean County suffering from elder abuse. We decided to develop a task force to help eradicate the growing problem," said Mary Jo Hueston, Zonta member and chairman of the Task Force Against Elder Abuse. "We were extremely impressed with the work Cory did and felt he should be recognized for his efforts."
17-year-old White was working part-time at Keswick Pines in Whiting when he came across a discarded box of literature pertaining to elder abuse.
"The literature was left there after a Zonta seminar was cancelled and the material was left behind," said White. "After reading it over, I decided to make this my Eagle Scout project and began working on the signs."
White, with the help of fellow Boy Scouts and friends, built three billboards advertising a hotline number for elder abuse assistance. He then spent months filing for permits and selecting locations. His goal was to place them in high traffic areas throughout the township in order to reach as many people as possible.
"It was hard work and there were a lot of phone calls and paperwork," said White. "Once that was settled, my friends and I installed the signs to complete the project."
Zonta Club founder Loretta Cody said she was pleasantly surprised when she came across the sign located across from town hall in Manchester and saw their hot line number.
"We had no idea about Cory or his project. He did this completely on his own," Cody said. "I contacted the scoutmaster in Manchester to find out who the young man was so that we could honor him with an award and thank him for his work in helping us aid elder abuse victims. We appreciate what he has done for our community."
For more information on the Zonta Club of Ocean County or to discuss an elder abuse situation, call 732-349-0597.
| 
)