Diabetes, youth focus of ANF

LONG BRANCH - The All Neighbors Foundation (ANF) will host a meeting July 9 from 5-7 p.m. at the Long Branch Public Library Community Room on Broadway.

Speakers will include representatives from The American Diabetes Association and JJ Hoops.

The ANF was created in March with a focus on providing services for the children of Monmouth County and was expanded to include assistance to people of all ages who have diabetes.

The goal of the meeting is to find volunteers to write grants for the organization, as well as to discuss funding opportunities to obtain office space.

After Marco Diaz's mother died in November 2001 due to complications of diabetes, Diaz began to gather information from various agencies and residents in Long Branch.

"I found that not only are individuals from this community in need of diabetic services, they are also in need of translation services and services that organize recreational activities for children," said Diaz in a press release.

"It is my hope that with the growth of the All Neighbors Foundation, we will give inspiration and guidance to a community in need," he said.

Diaz is working to organize an ANF board of trustees to organize and help carry out the organization's mission.

"If this organization achieves its mission and success, people who suffer with diabetes will have a better life, and our children will get off the streets and into more positive things," Diaz said.

Recreational activities will be geared toward preventing at-risk youth in the community from getting involved in gang and drug activity, according to Diaz, who added that he plans to achieve that goal through education and support services.

Translation services will involve helping individuals of various backgrounds to better communicate and integrate themselves in the county, Diaz said.

For more information, call Diaz at (848) 466-0736 or e-mail to: a.n.f@hotmail.com.

- Christine Varno