VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTOR JOURNALISTS: SOCIAL AWARENESS, NONPROFIT AND POP CULTURE STORIES :: Voices of Hope Productions:: Documentary Video Production * NonProfit Communications * Media Education, Media News & Events

HOMEGROWN ROCKER HELPS THIS TOWN
by Hillary Roberts, Founder, Project Linus NJ, Inc.

In the small fishing village of Keyport, New Jersey residents are banding together to help fix playgrounds and parks in disrepair. A grassroots effort calling themselves, "Open Hearts for Keyport Parks" has taken on the renovation project. The volunteers are banding together with local rocker, Jon Caspi, on the first fundraiser - a benefit concert.

Last year, Jon Caspi helped put Keyport on the map with the release of his CD entitled "This Town." This time around, the man who many residents jokingly refer to as "Keyport's next mayor" and who recently had a sandwich named after him by a diner in town, will celebrate the release of his latest CD, "I'm Not Angry... Anymore" and give the proceeds from the show to "Open Hearts for Keyport Parks".

Caspi moved to Keyport in 2002. Since falling in love with the town, he's lent his musical talent to several benefit causes. He's performed benefit concerts in town for such causes as "The Keyport Friends of the Arts" (a privately funded off-shoot of the Board of Education that encourages arts in the classroom); "American Recreational Military Services" (which raised money for troops overseas); and wrote and donated sales from "This Town" (a song written about Keyport) to the family of Ronald Fisler who died after falling into a coma because of complications from gastric bypass surgery.

Keyport is fortunate to have several neighborhood playgrounds; however, many of the playgrounds are currently outdated or dilapidated, posing significant safety problems to the town's children. The poor physical and aesthetic condition has led to the underutilization of these valuable open spaces.

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This time around, the man who many residents jokingly refer to as "Keyport's next mayor" and who recently had a sandwich named after him by a diner in town, will celebrate the release of his latest CD, "I'm Not Angry... Anymore"
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The organization intends to start with the renovation of the Therese Street Park in the Browns Point section of Keyport. Upgrades to this park will include state-of-the-art play structures and swings, maintenance-free playground resurfacing, perimeter trees and landscaping, and seating areas. Upon completion of the Therese Street Park renovation, fundraising efforts will be continued for the renovation of Keyport's other parks and playgrounds.

In addition, the organization intends to support the utilization of the renovated parks for family-oriented cultural arts and education events such as children's concerts, storytelling, arts and crafts, bay/waterfront preservation, anti-littering campaigns, and annual park clean-up/beautification days.

Keyport's resident rocker has not only become a regular in local venues like McDonagh's and Espresso Joe's but has performed at nationally known rock clubs like The Saint and The Stone Pony (both located in Asbury Park) and has shared bills with artists like John Eddie, Jeffrey Gaines, Joe Grushecky, and Joe D'Urso.

His celebrity status in Keyport history was cemented recently when the Seaport Diner named a breakfast sandwich after him. "The Caspi Special" is comprised of eggs, cheese, and sausage in between two pieces of French toast. "I try to promote Keyport when I can," Caspi said. "I think it's a great place."

For CD’s, mp3 downloads and a tour visit www.joncaspi.com or contact Jon directly at, thejcc@optonline.net

Hillary Roberts is the founder of Project Linus NJ, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing handmade blankets and hand crafted toys to children suffering serious illness and trauma from birth to seventeen.

Since the tender age of six, an admitted performance junkie, Hillary’s attended several thousand live shows. Underwriting her college education by working for local music shops and selling LP’s at state swap-meets, she earned a degree in Communications. As both a fan and supporter of the Arts, Hillary joins THE EYE’s contributor section with a point of view: the philanthropic soul of musicianship.