M t . O l i v e’s H o m e t o w n N e w s p a p e r
MOUNT OLIVE LIFE Vo l . 2 1 • I s s u e 2
Februar y 2025
Member of Mid-Atlantic Community Papers • Association of Community Publishers • Mt. Olive Chamber of Commerce AUDITED BY CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL (CVC), ST. LOUIS, MO.
Resident Turns Personal Loss with Organization To Help Others Gain
BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER
MOUNT OLIVE - For those struggling with financial burdens brought on by a family member battling cancer, know there is a grass roots organization out there providing some extra support. Tara Mensonides, 23-year resident of Mt. Olive, established “Make It Work,” in 2011 to provide support to community members facing financial strain. No stranger to the struggle, Mensonides’ parents both died from cancer and are the catalyst behind her mission. “My dad was the most positive person I know and always said ‘We will make it work,” says Mensonides, founder of Make it Work. “I founded this organization after my dad passed of cancer. I saw the financial strains it put on our
family and realized there are many others dealing with the same. My mom then passed of cancer in 2012 making this even more a passion of mine.” The mission of Make It Work is simple but profound: To ease the financial burdens of cancer for families in need. The organization provides direct support, ensuring that 100% of proceeds go straight to helping with costs like travel expenses, meals, and other challenges that cancer creates. It is “To help people struggling with the financial burdens of cancer and cancer created issues,” she explains. “We are a grassroots organization supporting the local community directly,” she adds. “We also support meals and costs of travel.”
When she first began the organization 14 years ago, Mensonides started with 11 people in need of support. That number has grown to 46 this year. “All funds go directly to the families in need,” she says. In addition to her own efforts, “we also use local companies to support for our needs
and swag,” she adds. As a professional— she works as a global risk and compliance manager at Johnson & Johnson— and a mom, Mensonides knows when the going gets rough the tough get going. But sometimes, others need that extra hand for support. Mensonides will use both her
Sandshore Sticks to Community and Fun with Annual Fundraiser
BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER
MOUNT OLIVE - Everyone looks forward to the countdown on New Year’s Eve, but that is not the only countdown around! For more than a decade now, Sandshore Elementary School in Budd Lake has been counting down how long staff members can be stuck to a wall. Held every fall, the school uses this fun event for some life lessons and to raise money to support student events all year. Sponsored annually by the Sandshore Home & School Partnership (school PTO), Stuck for a Buck is always a fun event for students and staff at Sandshore. “The Stuck for a Buck event helps build a strong sense of community by bringing students, teachers, and staff together for a fun, shared experience,” says Elena Reyes, vice principal at Sandshore. School “As everyone participates—whether by taping teachers to the wall or cheering them on—school spirit is energized, and collaboration is encouraged,” adds Reyes. “The funds raised support important programs for the school, giving students a sense of pride in contributing to something that benefits them all. It’s a lighthearted way to strengthen con-
nections, foster teamwork and create lasting memories for everyone involved.” Held this past school year on October 4 in the Sandshore Gymnasium, Stuck for a Buck involved the entire school. Students are called down by class during the event. All students participate in placing a piece of Duct tape on the two staff volunteers who are participating in the fundraiser. Kathleen James, third grade teacher and Louis Valdes, paraprofessional volunteer, participated as the two staff members to undergo the challenge. “Students were thrilled to see two of their favorite staff members taking on the Stuck for a Buck challenge!” shares Reyes. When the students are called down to the gym, they are given the opportunity to purchase duct tape to tape on to the staff members to the wall. “Once all classes have participated, all classes are called down to the gymnasium where we remove the standing base from underneath our volunteers and see if the duct tape will hold them up on the wall,” explains Reyes. PrinciPLEASE SEE SANDSHORE STICKS, PAGE 2
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hands to “Make it Work!” “I’ve always been community driven,” says Mensonides, former long-time Girl Scout leader for both her girls and former volunteer at their schools and outside activities. To support Make It Work, donations can be sent via Venmo or check, to Tara Menson-
ides @MakeItWork-20 with every contribution going directly to families in need. Feel free to join her and together, contributors will “Make It Work!” Her new website is also in the works so look for its launch this February.
Mount Olive Running Club
BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER
MOUNT OLIVE - Increased fitness activity and improved health is one of the top resolutions for the new year, and it is reassuring to know that Mt. Olive residents do not need to run this one alone. Established in 2023, the Mount Olive Running Club (MORC) is free for all ages and fitness levels to give it a go. Members jog and run all year round as a group at various locations, host some fundraising events and have established friendships along the way. Sevenja Lyon and Brian Gallagher founded the private organization after realizing that running is much more fun when others join in the fun. “What began as a simple text thread among a few Mt. Olive friends organizing a weekend jog quickly grew into something much bigger,” explains Lyon who has been living in town since 2014. “Little by little, more runners joined the conversation, and before we knew it, we had a whole group of people who shared a love for running together. In 2023, we made it official by creating a logo, launching our Strava club, and building a website to bring our community closer.” As of today, 58 members have joined MORC. More are always welcome. “We are committed to cultivating a welcoming and inclusive community for runners of all levels, from casual joggers and first-time 5K participants to experienced marathoners seeking camaraderie on long runs,” says Lyon. “Our mission is to build a strong sense of community, one run at a time, by fostering connections, mutual sup-
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port, and shared growth. “Additionally, we maintain a close partnership with the Mount Olive Track and Cross-Country teams, which allows our membership to include enthusiastic young runners and high school athletes who often join their parents on runs,” she adds. While the runners keep moving all year round, routes are selected dependent on weather. “We have many different routes but mostly we run at Turkey Brook Park, on Columbia Trail and Clover Hill,” says Lyon. The group organizes three runs per week: One night run, one long run on Saturday and one Fun Run on Sunday, shares Lyon. Usually, the runs are 45 minutes to one hour long. Long Runs are longer depending on distance. Running is the main purpose of the group, but there are many more benefits than the aftereffects of stronger heart and healthier bodies. “We’re all about making new friends, meeting fellow runners, and sharing the joy of running in a fun and social atmosphere,” says Lyon. “Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner, a casual 5K enthusiast, or someone just starting their running journey, you’re welcome here!” Events outside of running are also on the schedule. During the summer, the group is organizing some MORC socials like meetings at Jersey Girl Brewery after a run and Burnt Cider Mill for some drinks and live music. “Another fun event is the PLEASE SEE RUNNER’S CLUB, PAGE 4