Volunteers refurbish pavilion

MARLBORO - During two weekends in October, Evan Katzen and 64 volunteers completed the rehabilitation of a summer pavilion used by children at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold Township.

The original structure was deteriorating so it was a great opportunity for Evan to plan and perform a project that benefits members of the community who use the YMCA pool or the children who attend summer camp. The volunteers helped scrape away the old paint, sanded floors, applied a coat of fresh paint to rails, posts, rafters, joists, and flooring, removed and replaced rotting steps with composite steps for easier maintenance, replaced a portion of the rain gutter system that was causing water damage, caulked areas of the roof that were leaking, reinforced a safety fence, installed new PVC lattice fencing, performed landscaping with new top soil, and planted mums.

The planning and completion of the project took 420 hours. The volunteers who helped out included friends, relations, Boy Scouts and adult leaders from Holmdel Troop 331, Girl Scout Troop 1944, and students from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Sandy Hook.

In order to complete the project Evan held a carwash fundraiser at Applebee's in Manalapan. There were many types of donations made to the project, including materials, supplies, water, lunch meals, or discounts on items that had to be purchased. The value of materials and services donated was $1,566. The amount spent on the project was $912.

Donations came from Home Depot, Hazlet, Painters Express, Middletown, Costco, Hazlet, Home Depot, Freehold; Home Depot, Marlboro; Applebee's, Manalapan; Cucina Alessi, Manalapan; House of Paints, Matawan; the Fleisig family; the Ferrara family; the Broderick family; the Birnberg family; Madison Township Lumber, Matawan; Wendy's, Freehold; McDonald's, Marlboro; Starbuck's, Freehold; and Mr. Fence, Freehold.

Evan is a resident of the Morganville section of Marlboro. He started out as a Tiger Scout in Pack 86 in Morganville and eventually went on to Boy Scout Troop 331 in Holmdel. Evan is currently a freshman at Colts Neck High School and he participates in the ROTC and band programs.

The following volunteers participated: Adam Imberman, Albert Ching, Alessandra Ferrara, Anju Purs, Arthur Eng, Bennett Robbins, Bill McBurnie, Billy McBurnie, Brian Ching, Brian McMullen, Catherine Ching, Charles Ricottone, Chris Bengu, Dani August, Debbie Radice, Diana Bengu, Diane Makin, Eddie McBurnie, Eddy McBurnie, Eli Calderin, Ellice Katzen, Eric Katzen, Erin McBurnie, Evan Katzen, George Bond, Georgia Sandidge.

Also, Grant Rybnicky, Hal Katzen, Hrair Aldermeshian, James Radice, Jason McMullen, Jeff Rossi, Jim Smith, Julia Farrela, Karen Bond, Lila Todd, Linda Smith, Louis Ferrara, Marc Ricottone, Mary Perarson, Michaya Bengu, Peter Aldermeshian, Phil Limeri, Philip Limeri, Phoebe Smith, Reina Puri, Ryan Wood, Samantha Pearson, Sammi Russo, Sandi Megan, Sarah Bond, Sari Katzen, Scott Blechman, Shari Sandidge, Stephen McMullen, Stephen Wood, Steve Forlena, Stu Seiderman, Tom Rossi, Tom Wood and Tyler Bond.