The Toms River Field of Dreams project was selected as one of 100 projects across the country to receive funding as part of Lowe’s Centennial Celebration.
Lowe’s announced today that they are completing 100 impact projects to celebrate the company’s centennial and support worthy initiatives nationwide. The 100 projects span 36 states and there were over 2,200 submissions.
The funding will be used for the Toms River Community Garden at the Field of Dreams site. The Community Garden will allow people of all abilities to come together and participate in growing produce that will be donated to a local food bank.
Toms River Field of Dreams founder Christian Kane said, he and his wife, Mary, are ecstatic by the news. “The $25,000 Lowe’s grant will assist in the development, construction and supplies of our Community Garden for years to come.”
Mayor Maurice B. Hill stated, “We are very happy that Lowe’s Corporation has chosen Toms River Field of Dreams as one of the 100 projects nationwide that will receive funding. The support of Lowe’s is greatly appreciated and will help bring the Toms River Field of Dreams to reality.”
“We are inspired by the nationwide response to 100 Hometowns, which brought people from all across the country to share with us their remarkable stories and hope for how their community might be made a little better,” said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe’s chairman and CEO. “Lowe’s has been dedicated to improving homes, and hometowns, since its founding in 1921, and we look forward to continuing to do so for the next 100 years.”
Toms River Field of Dreams Update
Construction is underway, primarily on the infrastructure of the entire complex. Some of the utilities are installed. Christian Kane said the largest obstacle has been delays in delivery of materials. The goal is to have the facility completed by late fall 2021. For more information or to donate, visit www.tomsriverfieldofdreams.com
The Toms River Field of Dreams Project
The Toms River Field of Dreams (TRFOD) is a project with a mission to encourage and engage our communities (Monmouth and Ocean Counties), with a focus on those with special needs, in physical and social activity by building a community complex to provide opportunities for all individuals of all ages all abilities to engage, explore and socialize together.
The TRFOD will provide engaging inter-active areas, events for music and art appreciation, organized leagues for special needs baseball and basketball, as well as quiet spaces for observation, reflection, and reorganizing. After the completion of the complex, our hope is to increase awareness of our special needs community and provide an inclusive environment in which all can play and interact together.
Toms River and its surrounding communities will also benefit from being the only area in New Jersey with a complex specifically developed for special needs individuals. It will serve as a sustainable landmark and a significant accomplishment for the town. As an open, public space, the TRFOD will be an inclusive environment for the entire community to enjoy all year round.