Local health center donates school supplies in city LONG BRANCH - A school supply drive by the Natural Healthcare Center in West End was an "overwhelming" success with over 1,800 school supplies collected for the Long Branch School District, according to a press release from the health-care center. Organizers plan to make the drive an annual event. As part of the center's Community Relations program, patients and friends were invited to participate in a twomonth collection period. The result was a dozen boxes filled to the top with packages of donated pencils, pens, notebooks, writing paper, calculators, and even book bags, according to the press release. "Our Community Relations efforts go beyond providing complimentary seminars and health screenings," Dr. James Proodian, president and founder of Natural Healthcare Center, said in the release. "It's our mission to provide our community with free education, as well as community based services like this. "When the need for essential school supplies, not provided by the school system, was brought to our attention, we knew how to help some of the youngest members of our community," Proodian added. On Dec. 18, the school supplies, which were collected and organized at Natural Healthcare Center, were officially donated at the Gregory School in Long Branch. Natural Healthcare Center, located at 10 West End Court, provides health and wellness programs. For more information, visit www.naturalhealthcarecenter. com.