As the students, faculty and families of St. Denis School, Manasquan, deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and the significant damage it caused to their school building, they are surely heartened to know they are kept in the thoughts and prayers of many people.

Among the “new friends” that have surfaced and are extending a hand of friendship to the St. Denis School community, are those from St. John Fisher School, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

Tracey Martin, vice principal of St. John Fisher School, said she was moved to help in some way after watching the hurricane coverage on television and learning of the damage that was sustained, especially at the Jersey Shore, a place that is near and dear to her heart.

Although Martin now resides in California, she is a native of New Jersey, having grown up in Upper Montclair and spending many family vacations “down the Shore,” she said.

“We vacationed in Seaside and Sea Isle and Long Beach Island,” she said, noting that her husband is also from New Jersey and a shore lover as well. “These are names that are very familiar to me. And to see the effect that the hurricane had on these towns, I felt my childhood memories were literally swept away.”

“Seeing that roller coaster in the ocean was … was really something,” she said.

“When we heard about the disaster, we really wanted to do something on a personal level,” she said.

With the thought of trying to find a way for the St. John Fisher School to help a Catholic elementary school in the Trenton Diocese and with the approval and blessing of St. John Fisher principal, Anne-Marie Hudani, Martin came up with the “Bucks for the Boardwalk” in which the St. John Fisher students and faculty will host several fundraisers to benefit a school in the Trenton Diocese.

It was determined by the Trenton diocesan Office of Catholic Schools that the proceeds will benefit St. Denis School, Manasquan, which endured significant damage, according to JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent.

Martin explained the fundraisers that St. John Fisher School will host include each student contributing a minimum of $5, and participating in two denim dress down days.

The first “Bucks for the Boardwalk” denim dress down day was held Nov. 8 and “was successful,” she said. The second will be held the week of Nov. 12 and will be subtitled, “Denim for Denis.”

In addition, Martin said that money from the school’s two regular fundraisers, a recycling campaign and their “Jamba Juice” sale will be earmarked for St. Denis School.

“It’s my hope that St. John Fisher School can develop an ongoing relationship with St. Denis School,” said Martin, noting that in coming weeks, the St. John Fisher students will be writing letters to their Manasquan counterparts, and she also wants to work with Trudy Bonavita, principal of St. Denis School, to develop a “pen pal or ichat pal” program where classes can see and speak to each other.”

“This outreach will not just be a one-shot deal. We hope to continue a dialogue between the schools, to have an on-going effort of fellowship for this year and possibly future years,” she said.

Most importantly, Martin said, “I want the St. Denis School community to know that we are thinking about you and praying for all affected by Sandy. We need to support each other in this special ministry of Catholic education.”