May 21st, 2013
Justin’s Beach House gives a time and place of joy and peace for families with cancer, all ages…it is open year-round. If you have traveled in the past on Rt. 26 (Garfield Pkwy.) in Bethany Beach, you might have seen the big Adirondack chair…can’t miss it. Location? 844 Garfield Parkway. Telephone? 302-261-2510. Website? http://www.justinjennings.org.
I visited Justin’s Beach House last year. My photos are from that visit. This home is like no other. I mentioned that when I wrote my original post. I still feel the same. It was an emotional tour, and at the same time you know that this home brings so much joy and peace even if it is for a few days or a week.
If you are interested in staying at Justin’s Beach House, please visit the website and read about it…http://www.justinjennings.org/about-us. Your stay is free of charge, but there are procedures to be followed.
Some of your questions might be answered by visiting http://www.justinjennings.org/faq.
The Mission since the beginning has been the same; “to support and maintain a home in the Bethany Beach area where families with cancer can have a place of respite and enjoy some fun family time. It is a place of joy and peace at the Beach”.
The story behind Justin’s Beach House is that of a son who was taken from his family way too soon. And, his name was Justin.
The house was built in partnership with Contractors For a Cause. Local builders that helped the dream come true.
The home is big with plenty of bedrooms and rooms. All wheelchair accessible.
It does have an elevator.
The kitchen is big and the dining room has a large table for plenty of guests.
Throughout the home there are rooms for relaxation and watching t.v.
The house has beach chairs and beach toys.
And, it does take money to run. Justin’s Beach House has a few fundraising events throughout the year, but the biggest one is the Justin’s Beach House Memorial Day Weekend 5/k Run/3k Walk. It will be on Saturday, 5/27 at 7:30 a.m. in Bethany Beach. $25 to pre-register and $30 the day of the race. You can visit http://www.justinjennings.org/5k-run-walk for complete details.
There will be a festive post-race party on the Bethany Beach Boardwalk, Tech Tee-Shirts for All pre-registerred participants, awesome Awards for overall, masters and age groupers, free goodie bags, free pre-race kiddie dash (no registration and no tee-shirts provided).
This event will be a sellout! Have a good One!!
February 6th, 2012
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!!
November 15th, 2011
Contractors for a Cause is an organization of local contractors that give back to the community that supports them. It is based in the Bethany Beach and Ocean View, Delaware in Southern Delaware.
Mike Cummings from Miken Builders located at 32782 Cedar Drive, Millville, DE 19967, www.mikenbuilders.com, will be the Workshop Leader. This is a free event and it is only limited for the first 20 women that register. You can register by calling Andrea at 302-537-4444.
There will be babysitting provided on site during the workshop. Topics will be anything from fixing a loose toilet handle to caulking and drywall patch techniques. Also weather stripping and squeaky doors, as well.
It will be Saturday, 11/19 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for coffee and pastries.
Location? Better Living Showroom located at 32442 Royal Blvd., Dagsboro, Delaware, at Clayton Crossing and next to Mediacom.
Give them a call and reserve your spot….talk to you later…
November 4th, 2011
Many years ago when my husband and I came to Bethany, the “scene” was very different. But, that’s what we liked about it. Small town, great place to bring up a family. Through my children I met most of my friends. Some I saw frequently and some just once in a while. One thing is for sure; all those friends are still there.
I met Mike Cummings and his family at the Pyle Center in Roxanna. Yeap, we were in Little League. Rain or shine; early mornings and at times early evenings, as well. Roxanna is near Bethany Beach. I am sure Mike remembers all that. We were also on the same team. I have forgotten if we were good or not.
Through the years I have met parents through sports and some were very intense. Mike is one of the few people that I know that has kept it constant. Even temper, friendly, caring, good sense of humor, and a consummate professional in his work. It was like that then, and it is now, as well.
He is the Founder and CEO of Miken Builders, located at 32782 Cedar Drive, Millville, DE 19967. Tel. 302-537-4444. Cell 302-381-0773 and website, www.mikenbuilders.com. You can find Miken Builders on Facebook.
The website will give an insight on this commercial and residential construction company. You can also find them on the right hand side of my website and just with a click you will have direct access into his site.
Through the years Miken Builders has built a reputation as a company that is well respected in the community with high standards and superior craftmanship.
Mike’s company has received so many awards in construction and renovation from Associated Builders & Contractors. You can see those on the website, and you will also be able to see other awards and memberships in charitable organizations. Yes, Mike and his company have given back to the community.
Personally, I can recommend Miken Builders fully. I just used the company to do renovations in my house. His staff, well, I cannot say enough. Suggestions, designs, and carrying the job through in the most efficient way was good to see and experience.
Under Miken Builders, there is BetterLiving Patio & Sunrooms of Delmarva. Same address, but the telephone is 302-251-0000. Website? www.betterlivingdelmarva.com. This Miken Builders’ company is the exclusive provider of Betterliving 3-season, year-round sunrooms and awnings. They can transform an unused deck or patio into a totally different room; a focal point of your home.
No job is too small for Miken Builders. You can call Mike personally. I just gave you his cell and have him give you an estimate for any work needed around your house. If you are planning on building a house in the Delmarva Peninsula, you will not be disappointed if you are dealing with him, his company, and staff.
Talk to you later….have a good one!!
May 16th, 2011
I have to start by saying that I don’t know the Jennings family. But, I had seen this house going up on Rt. 26 in Bethany Beach. For many years I used to live, practically, across the street from where Justin’s Beach House is located.
The blue Adirondack chair? I thought somebody liked these laid back chairs as much as I did. Justin’s Beach House is about 1/2 mile from the center of town and the beach.
I was told that I should stop and see this house. Its story is very well expressed in their website; http://www.justinjennings.org It is Justin’s story; the developing of the brain cancer that ultimately would claim his young life. And, the parents who sprung into action, by starting The Justin W. Jennings Foundation.
Bethany Beach is known as a quiet resort. Also known to be a family oriented coastal town. I cannot imagine a better place to have a home for families with cancer where they can spend time together in peace. Getting away from it all.
This house could not have taken place without the tremendous help of Contractors for a Cause. This organization is made up of local contractors who want to give back to the community that support them. They are based in the Bethany Beach and Ocean View area.
If you would like to learn more about what they do, please visit http://www.contractorsforacause.org.
There are some events already in the calendar for 2011. Check http://www.justinjennings.org.
Saturday, May 28th is the Justin’s Beach House Memorial 5k Run – Walk in Bethany Beach. You can get all the information for this event on the above mentioned website.
Wednesday, June 8th – Ravens Roost Annual Golf Tournament at Ocean City Golf & Country Club. $100 will get you the cart and dinner. Cash bar will be available, as well. Shotgun is at 1:00 p.m. If you do not play golf but would like to attend, then, the cost would be $30. Again, please visit the website for all pertinent information.
The website is very informative. You will find the application process and the calendar of available dates for Justin’s Beach House. You can meet the Board, read the history and also check the donation information.
Thank you to Justin’s family who in their grief started this foundation so that in his name they could help others.
Please note that the first guests at Justin’s Beach House welcomed 2011 in this beautiful home.
Talk to you later….
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