February 6th, 2012
Justin’s Beach House, Bethany Beach, Delaware, A Time and Place of Joy and Peace for Families with Cancer, For All Ages, Open Year-Round, The Justin Jennings Foundation, Delaware Beaches
I had seen it in the past year; just the outside, though. Traveling on Rt. 26 can be a trip. It can get so congested. It is a direct route to the town of Bethany Beach, Delaware. That aqua Adirondack chair kept catching my attention. I thought someone liked them as much as I did. Little did I know that behind that chair, the beautiful home behind it had a story to tell.
Out of sadness has come peace and somewhat joy to the Jennings Family. Justin Jennings was a beloved son, full of life and looking towards the future. Justin was stricken with cancer and at the age of 21, in 2000, he passed away. A life taken way too soon.
Some of us might sink into despair; others make that lemonade out of the lemons life throws at you. The Jennings family chose the latter route.
The Justin Jennings Foundation was developed. The help of friends, volunteers, and the community has been so important; a link to their success. Enter Contractors for A Cause, which are contractors of the local area of Bethany Beach and Ocean View, who are giving back to the community that supports them. CFAC is a non-profit organization. They hold annual events and scholarships to help out local organizations and young adults. For info. please visit www.contractorsforacause.org.
Contractors for A Cause built this beautiful home. So many people donated in numerous ways; appliances, furniture, cleaning supplies, beach chairs, you name it.
I really do consider myself so lucky to have been able to tour Justin’s Beach House. Nothing prepares you for the feelings of emotion as you enter the home. The best word to describe it is “peaceful”.
The main purpose of this home is to give someone; a child, a young adult, a parent, grandparent, basically anyone, for that matter, a time at the beach where they can relax with family and enjoy themselves for a week or a few days. To be able to put aside their worries, hospitals and doctors; experience the intoxicating salt air, beach, sand, and sun.
2011 was the first year when families started to visit Justin’s Beach House. 22 families took advantage of this gift. So far, as of this writing, about 12 families are scheduled to arrive this year, the youngest visitor with cancer will be about 2 when she visits our Delaware beaches.
Justin’s Beach House is located at 844 Garfield Parkway (Rt. 26), Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Tel. 302-261-2510. Website? www.justinjennings.org. Take a virtual tour of the house.
There is an easy application process and a few requirements, as well. For the application all you have to do is visit the website, where everything you need to know is clearly explained. Other important requirements are that the person applying for Justin’s Beach House has to be going through treatment at present, or out of treatment for a year. You have to be able to get to Bethany Beach, and a $250 security deposit is required but will be returned after the stay. No food is provided due to diet restrictions. Plenty of bottled water will be at the house.
Justin’s Beach House has 3 floors and sleeps 12. The whole house is wheelchair accessible; the parking lot has a wide ramp for easier access. It also has an elevator. Decks on each floor of the house.
As you enter the house the first thing you see is Justin’s picture with his dog. The house is painted in light colors. As I mentioned before, the majority of the furnishings have been donated.
A room is called Justin’s room with some of his furniture.
Another room is called Elizabeth’s room, donated by Elizabeth’s family.
Every floor has comfortable chairs, sofas and equipped with small refrigerators to make it even easier.
The little needlepoint pictures caught my attention; activities for every day of the week. Kids get all excited about them; that’s what they should do on that particular day.
In the garage you will find, bikes, beach chairs, and sand pails; that’s all you need at the beach, anyway.
Justin’s Beach House has fundraising events through the year. By visiting the website you will see what is coming up. On February 25th, Delaware Seashore Parrot Head Club’s 4th Tropical Ice Breaker from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Mango Mikes at 97 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach. Great music by Tropical Soul from Central PA, and food. Please call for ticket information 302-379-7601.
Save the date for the JWJ Annual Memorial Day 5K in Bethany Beach – Info. is on the website, as well.
Justin’s Beach House is located near 3 hospitals. Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Delaware, www.beebemed.org. In Berlin, Maryland, Atlantic General Hospital, www.atlanticgeneral.org. And, in Salisbury, Maryland, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, www.peninsula.org.
A look at a table; what were those books? Amazing to see the effect the stay at Justin’s Beach House has given its visitors. These were albums sent by families to this home in thanks for a wonderful time. Their week at the beach, their smiles…their escape, even if it was for a little while. The home is making its own memories….
And…what about that lemonade? It is sweeter and more refreshing than ever….talk to you later.
Note: Many thanks to Kathy who took time to show me one amazing home!!
Tags: A Beach House for Families with Cancer, Bethany Beach, Bethany Beach for Families with Cancer, Contractors for a Cause, Delaware, Delaware Beaches, Events, Fundraising for Justin's Beach House, Justin's Beach House, The Justin Jennings Foundation
What a beautiful thing. Application given to co-workers whose brother has cancer.
Thanks for your comments.
Thank you so much for a wonderful week at Justin’s Beach house! Cannot express my gratitude in words! Lovely basket now in my bathroom that was full of goodies was so generous! House is so beautiful and lots of space. So grateful to be able to take my friends there for a week. The least I can do is donate my deposit for all your kindness. Thank you! Fondly, Barbara Burgess
Thank you so much for your comments.