Since the day after Superstorm Sandy struck, Visitation Parish, Brick, has been a hub of relief, recovery and restoration in northern Ocean County.

The lion’s share of ongoing efforts conducted by the parish and its partners – including Catholic Charities, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and The Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties – have been planned, staged or actually taken place inside and just outside Visitation Relief Center.

Now that the parish has gone from renter to owner of the one-time garden center on the edge of its campus, the time is right for an official grand opening celebration to be held Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. said Vicki Cottrell.

Cottrell, the parish pastoral/business administrator, worked with Father Albert Ricciardelli, the pastor, and Vicki Cottrell who has steered the effort from the beginning, will be on hand for the festivities which include a buffet lunch at 12 p.m. and ribbon cutting at 2 p.m.

“The celebration is the culmination of finally getting all the ducks in a row,” said Cottrell. “It’s a way of saying once again ‘we are in this for the long haul.”

Moira Edge, Winters’ assistant, said the day is a “way of introducing all our partnerships and presentations and letting the public know what is offered.”

Everyone attending will get a chance to experience the services offered in the two story building that now houses offices for Catholic Charities, the St. Vincent de Paul outreach, Save Barnegat Bay, a bustling food pantry and a bustling food pantry, community food garden, clothing, household goods, a tool lending warehouse and a general help desk where people can get information on what services and supplies are available.

Members of the vast core of volunteers who give generously of their time and skills on everything from restoring the damaged environment of the northern bay area to helping to rebuild damaged homes, overseeing donations will be on hand.

“With the one year anniversary of the storm on hand, a lot of families are still not in their homes,” said Cottrell.

 “The process seems to be getting more difficult for people and many are coming to us for help with grant applications and basic needs. We want people to know that we are here to help,” said Edge.

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