Pastor George Kaden on Love Lifts Us Up, a charity helping the families of ill children.
Pastor George Kaden of the charity Love Lifts Us Up gave an inspirational speech about how the organization reaches out and helps the families of desperately ill children who are hospitalized at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
They are families who are already facing financial difficulties as they find themselves having to deal with children who are ill or dying.
LLUU collects baby items such as diapers, car seats, formula and cash donations.
Last year they assisted over 80 families.
JSUMC pediatric social worker, Dana Silvey, assists the group in identifying families in need and what help is indicated.
Many families don’t have the means of transportation to visit their children in the hospital and LLUU provides Uber and Lyft cards.
Pastor George said LLUU has provided a model for other hospitals to follow and so far he is aware of three others.
He said the group meets once a month and invited all to attend.
He also said he is hoping for three things: to start a Make-a-Wish type fund; to secure a larger storage area for supplies and to acquire more volunteers.
His mostly elderly parishioners donate time and money along with knitting skills making teddy bears and blankets.
Donations may be sent to: LLUU, PO Box 382, Ocean Grove, 07756. LLUU is a 501(c)3 non profit.