Marine Trades Association of New Jersey Recovery & Relief Fund Awards Grants

Manasquan, NJ - The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey (MTA/NJ) Recovery & Relief Fund awarded twenty grants to recreational marine businesses in New Jersey that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. 

The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey Recovery & Relief Fund, a 501 (c) (3) corporation, was organized to provide relief and aid to recreational marine businesses in New Jersey that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy and other national and local disasters.  The MTA/NJ Recovery & Relief Fund is continuing to accept donations and contributions to the fund as well as conduct fundraising activities.  All of the funds collected are being distributed directly to aid recreational marine businesses that have been adversely affected by Hurricane Sandy and other local disasters.

In support of this new fund, Robert Staehle, Vice President of Brunswick Parts & Accessories, Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, and Diversified Marine presented the MTA/NJ with a $25,000 check from Kellogg Marine which was collected as a joint effort by Bob's Annual Turkey Fund, Brunswick Corp., Mercury Marine, Brunswick Boat Group, Kellogg Marine, and Land 'N' Sea. Additional contributors include the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA) who jointly donated $10,000 to the fund and most recently $5,000 from The Mid-Atlantic Mariners Club and a joint donation from the Association of Marina Industries (AMI) and BoatUS.  There were also personal donations from MTA/NJ members. 

Relief Fund grant applications were made available in April.  There were twenty grants of $2,000 each available in the initial round of funding. Additional grants may be distributed depending upon the availability of funds. The MTA/NJ is continuing to aggressively try and raise additional funds so that more grants can be awarded.  

Anyone wishing to make a donation to support the recreational marine industry in New Jersey can visit mtanj.org/donate to make a contribution online.  Checks can also be sent and made payable to MTA/NJ Recovery & Relief Fund, located at 2516 Highway 35, Suite 201, Manasquan, NJ 08736. 

For additional information, please contact the MTA/NJ offices at 732-292-1051; email: info@mtanj.org. 

"There are many marinas and marine businesses still working very hard to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and the need is great.  With additional contributions, this relief fund can support these businesses which will ultimately help ensure the future of the recreational boating industry in New Jersey", stated MTA/NJ President Fred Brueggemann.  

Click here for list of grant recipients.