Shout-Out to Local Beach Patrols

Call it paying it forward. Call it long overdue. But as we approach the end of the summer season here in Cape May County, I’d like to highlight and applaud the outstanding attitude of service shown by the beach patrols in our local communities.
In fact-checking each year for anticipated revisions to our county beach access brochure, “A Guide to Accessing Cape May County’s Beaches and Surf Chairs for People with Disabilities,” I’ve had the opportunity to consult with members of many of these patrols. Usually I initiate the contact to clarify policies on the availability and use of those “balloon-wheeled” surf chairs or to confirm for inquiring vacationers the closest accessible beach entrance from their rental property. The responses to my inquiries always leave me convinced that “going above and beyond” must be part of basic training for the members of these patrols.
Many beachgoers may not even be aware of the vital service the beach patrols in our county provide to people with disabilities. In their role as “keepers” of the surf chairs on each of our local beaches, they are the contact points for all county residents and visitors who need information about and/or want to reserve these vital conveyances to the sand. But many beach patrol members go beyond this basic function and actually transport and deliver these beach chairs to the people requesting them, at an agreed-upon beach access. Some even transport individuals with disabilities to the sandy beach by Jeep or golf cart.
Such was the experience that prompted a recent call I received from a North Jersey resident who had just returned home from a vacation stay in our county. In planning her trip to the Wildwoods, she called my office for advice on getting her mother, who uses a wheelchair, onto the beach near their rental. After checking with the beach patrol in that area, I was able to reassure her that they would be available to transport her mother directly to the sand during her stay.
This vacationer took the time to let me know that the efforts of that beach patrol made her mother’s stay in our county a memorable experience. While I have extended her expression of gratitude to that particular patrol, I know that all our local patrols each summer season can be “caught” doing acts of kindness not necessarily spelled out in their job descriptions.
So, here’s to the unsung heroes, the members of our local beach patrols. Their service-oriented attitude makes the lives of our people with disabilities more enjoyable and makes the image of the Cape May County community shine a little brighter.
DID YOU KNOW?
• The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is sponsoring an Early Stage Forum, an educational event for people with early changes related to Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Family members are invited to attend, but can’t attend without the person with the memory-related changes. This free forum is being held Sept. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cape Regional Medical Center. Pre-registration is required. Call Julie Thomas at (800) 272-3900 to register/get more information.
• The South Jersey Regional Office of the Alzheimer’s Association, through the generosity of the Knights of Columbus, has a small pool of Respite Fund Grants to provide financial assistance for income-eligible individuals caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. These are one-time grants of $500 each, and priority will be given to families in emergency situations. For details and application, call (800) 272-3900.
• As of Aug. 1, local Social Security offices no longer issue Social Security number printouts nor complete any letters verifying the clients Social Security Number. Individuals who need proof of their Social Security number and cannot find their original Social Security card will need to apply for a replacement card.
Pierson writes from the Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services.