Jersey Shore Magazine

Fall/Holiday 2017

Jersey Shore Magazine

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J e r s e y s h o r e • F A L L / H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 7 60 JERSEY SHORE PROFILE The Jay and L inda Grunin Foundation Making the Jersey Shore a Better Place by Jill Ocone cademy Award winning actor Denzel Washington once said, "At the end of the day, it's not about what you have, or even what you've accomplished. It's about what you've done with those accomplishments. It's about who you've lifted up, who you've made better. It's about what you've given back." Two of the pillars of philanthropy at the Jersey Shore who embody Washington's words are Jay and Linda Grunin. The pair met as classmates at New York University School of Law and has called Toms River home for almost fifty years. In the late 1990s, the Grunins phased out their day-to-day law practice in order to concentrate on their two greatest passions, business investments and philanthropy. Their efforts, through the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, have positively impacted thousands of lives at the Jersey Shore. a The Mission The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation puts citizens first. Their philanthropy provides activity and economic development opportunities through the arts, healthcare, and education, with the values of integ- rity, tenacity, and leadership always at the forefront. Under those pillars, four different programs impact, engage, and elevate Toms River as well as the Jersey Shore region. With the help of Foundation staff and the Grunin's son, Jeremy, who came on board in 2013 and is the Foundation's president, the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation continually exceeds its goal of improving qual- ity of life and economic health by investing in projects that transform the Jersey Shore community. The Engage Toms River Program This program was designed for residents to engage and participate in the arts. With the goal of having every Toms River resident awaken their creativity, individuality, and artistic/technical abilities, programs have included the Giving Tuesday Theater Group Challenge and the Engage Toms River Community Mural Project. The driving force behind Engage Toms River's success is the coming together of different entities with the Foundation. These include the Community Art Project, the Toms River Artists Community, the Business Improvement District, the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library, Congressman MacArthur, and Toms River township officials. Thousands of people, by working together, helped bring both the 2014 and 2015 Community Mural Projects to life, adding color and life along Water and Main Streets. The Foundation is currently working on expanding this program to include communities out- side of the Toms River area as well. continued on page 62

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