March 10

CELEBRATING ONE OF ASBURY PARK’S GEMS: CAROUSEL AWARDS HONOR SONJA O’BRIEN

Posted by thebplot on March 10, 2016 in Arts + Entertainment, NEWS > Asbury Park, Non Profits | 1 Comment

Asbury Park resident Sonja O’Brien has spent a lifetime unconditionally giving back. She’s a doer and a giver.

And after 14 years of tangible local impact – much of it behind the scenes – the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce is recognizing O’Brien along with four others at the 2016 Carousel Awards. O’Brien will receive the Humanitarian Award which celebrates “outstanding dedication” to Asbury Park.

Sonja O’Brien will receive the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce’s Carousel Humanitarian Award on May 13.

“Sonja is great at bringing people together and beyond that, she does it all with heart,” said Jackie Pappas, executive director of the Asbury Park Chamber. “She is the kind of person who inspires others and the chamber unanimously voted to recognize her years of tireless work here.”

Strong as steel and as valuable as platinum, O’Brien’s subtle educational style of involvement began when she was a child in Southern California.

“My huge, loving family always made time to volunteer and give back in their own way,” said O’Brien. “My parents, aunts, uncles and cousins found ways to use their talents and interests to help their communities. Pat, my 90 year-old aunt still works three days a week at the Food Bank in Florida.”

Prior to moving to Asbury Park – in between commuting to her job in Manhattan – O’Brien volunteered with Northern New Jersey organizations that helped children with down syndrome and stray companion animals.

When O’Brien and her loving husband of over 20 years, Tom purchased a home here in 2002, she began looking for ways to help a city on the edge of its renaissance. They started by becoming members of a number of organizations focused the history and culture of the city.

In 2007, she spearheaded the lamppost banner initiative, leveraging her professional expertise to develop a program that beautified the city and celebrated local artist and businesses. The program funded three feet wide by six feet tall banners sponsored by local businesses and hung from lampposts in the downtown and Main Street districts of town. For the launch year, the spectacularly talented Ray Sternesky donated the artwork featured on the banners. Another year, ArtsCAP coordinated a juried art contest to spotlight local talent on the banners.

O'Brien with her husband of 20 years, Tom.

O’Brien with her kind, smart, amazing husband of 20 years, Tom.

“We wanted to do more than just dress up the city (with the banners),” said O’Brien. “We wanted to engage with and connect different parts of the city with something as simple and universal as art.”

During the banner program’s active years from 2007 to 2012, it raised over $30,000 for the Asbury Park Historical Society. A portion of the proceeds were also allocated to ArtsCAP, which at the time the charity’s director said was their “largest donation.” She is hopeful to work on a new banner program with the city soon.

O’Brien has also been the indomitable force behind the annual city-wide yard sales. Since 2011, the sales have raised thousands of dollars and a ton of mission-critical supplies for two local animal rescue organizations. The city-wide sales have been called an “important marketing effort” for the area, introducing thousands of people to the city’s uniquely beautiful neighborhoods.

“It’s thanks to the participation of the generous residents that the yard sales happen,” said O’Brien. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to help organize the event. Last year we had 35 homes involved and delivered car loads of supplies and funding to Wag-on-Inn and Rescue Ridge.”

She and Tom put their time and money where their mouth is, rescuing and finding forever homes for almost 20 kittens and cats from the streets – most near death. As well, they have tirelessly supported other residents who’ve rescued innocent and vulnerable lost animals. O’Brien’s soft touch, tenacity and patience has earned her the opportunity to educate many local children and adults about the importance of spaying, neutering and caring for companion animals. [more below ad]

IMPACTFUL PUBLIC RELATIONS, DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING PROGRAMS FOR YOUR BUSINESS; CLICK IMAGE. [advertisement]

“Sonja makes a real difference in the world,” said Mary Beth Tkach of Rescue Ridge. “With her help, the people of Asbury Park selflessly join together to ensure dogs and cats receive medical care, housing and food. She is an amazing woman.”

O’Brien has also helped manage a book club, celebrate the beachfront with a women’s group, taught cooking classes, and served as a unofficial Asbury Park promoter by hosting people from all over the country in the city she loves. As a local realtor at the Conover Agency, she has been quoted in regional and national publications speaking about the city’s diversity and opportunity.

O’Brien takes the time to listen. She hears who you are and identifies the key pulse points Asbury park has to offer you. All this for a city she and Tom discovered by chance while visiting friends in Ocean Grove 15 years ago.

“I am humbled and thankful for this recognition from the chamber,” said O’Brien. “This is a town full of doers that believe in community. I’m grateful to be a part of Asbury Park’s fantastic and inspiring energy.”

The Carousel Awards are scheduled for Friday evening, May 13 at the Berkeley Hotel. More at AsburyParkChamber.com. For the complete list of honorees, click here.