Published in the Times-Beacon 1/13/05
By NICOLE GERAGHTY
Staff Writer
STAFFORD -- A Barnegat teen's dreams came true
through a joint effort of the Rotary clubs of Long
Beach Island, Southern Ocean and Forked River.
Times-Beacon
photo by Ann Marie Coen
Connie Becraft, a
representative of the Long Beach Island
Rotary and Southern Ocean Rotary President
John VanWaalwjik help Caitlin Chadwick out
of the new van that the Forked River,
Southern Ocean and Long Beach Island Rotary
clubs donated to her and her family. |
Caitlin Chadwick, 18, a Barnegat resident who has
Cerebral Palsy, was given a plum-colored 2000 Dodge
Caravan at a reception in which the three clubs
officially donated the vehicle.
The van is a "lifesaver," according to
Chadwick's mother, Kim, as it is handicapped
accessible and comes with a ramp.
"It's the most wonderful thing," Kim
Chadwick said. The van comes at an especially
important time, Kim Chadwick said, as her daughter
just completed her first semester at Georgian Court
University in Lakewood and this will make
transportation easier.
"Before, we would have to physically attach
the ramp to the van and I was so worried that I
would hurt my back," Kim Chadwick said.
"It's really cool," Caitlin Chadwick
added.
Caitlin Chadwick has obtained nearly $30,000 in
scholarships, her mother said. She is studying
history and elementary education at the university
and she plans to become a teacher one day.
"She got a 3.7 grade point average; we're so
proud of her," Kim Chadwick said.
"I really like it there," Caitlin
Chadwick said. "Everybody's really nice and the
professors seem like they really care about
you." The Rotary clubs had heard about the
Chadwick's need for a van a little more than a year
ago, said Connie Becraft, a representative from the
Long Beach Island Rotary.
"It was a community project that we wanted
to embrace," Becraft said. "There's power
in numbers with all three Rotaries working
together."
The van was acquired from a private owner. The
total cost was $12,000 with each of the clubs
contributing $4,000.
"This young girl was fortunate to have a
scholarship, but no ride to her scholarship,"
said John VanWaalwjik, president of the Southern
Ocean Rotary. "It's been so nice giving
back."
VanWaalwjik said the Rotaries had to act quickly
when purchasing the van because it was a private
sale.
"That's the hardest part; separating who you
can and can't give back to," VanWaalwjik said.
"We've been doing a lot of fund-raisers for the
Tsunami victims lately. It's nice in this case that
a single voice has multiplied so much."
Connie Becraft, a representative with the Long
Beach Island Rotary, added that although the van was
bought from a private owner, Roger Keil, who works
in the handicapped division at Causeway Ford on
Route 72, was instrumental in getting the process
completed, as was Dan Cortese, president of the
Forked River Rotary.
"I cannot thank them enough. I think I'm
more excited than the (Chadwicks) are," Becraft
said.
Caitlin Chadwick said she is looking forward to
starting classes again, which start next Tuesday.
With just one press of a button, the van door
opens and the ramp comes out.
"Now is that cool or what," Kim
Chadwick said.
