JACKSON, NJ — Despite some initial setbacks and red tape within the Jackson School District, Jackson Township Council President Jennifer Kuhn said she and other volunteers are continuing their effort to raise money to complete necessary repairs for the field house at Jackson Memorial High School.
The school district has acknowledged that the concession stands won’t be open for 2024 during football games and other sporting and band related events. It has also made it clear it cannot afford to pay for the renovations and that the only path forward is through private donations.
Council President Jennifer Kuhn recently addressed the community to clarify ongoing efforts and the financial status of the renovation project for the Jackson Field House and concession stand amid rumors on Facebook, which she humorously dubbed “fake book” due to misconceptions surrounding the initiative.
In March, a collaborative meeting took place at Jackson Memorial, involving the Administration, Council, local police and fire departments, Department of Public Works, and the Board of Education, to address the facility’s issues and discuss potential renovations. The involvement also extended to local contractors and residents.
The Board of Education initiated a fundraising campaign featuring three sponsorship levels: bronze, silver, and gold. Council President Kuhn has been at the forefront, actively engaging the community and utilizing social media to boost fundraising efforts.
Key sponsors for the project include Kaye Well Drilling, which provided a bronze sponsorship; Fire District 2 and Local 114, which provided a combined silver sponsorship of $1,750; and Dan and Vicky Black, who contributed a gold sponsorship of $3,000. Councilman Mordy Burnstein facilitated an anonymous silver donation of $1,500, and Kuhn herself secured a similar silver sponsorship.
John Poppy (sp) has played a crucial role by liaising with all fire districts to aid fundraising efforts. The project has raised just under $20,000, but the goal remains at $30,000.
Jackson Township Police Officer Jeff Henba, who played football for Jackson Memorial, hopes the community will pitch in.
“I personally played football for four years at Jackson Memorial, where the Fieldhouse is in shambles. I was there with the council president and Councilman Burnstein,” Sgt. Henna said. “It’s a mess in there; it’s embarrassing. There have been some really good football teams that ran through that building and I’m just hoping that some people can donate to it. The snack stand over there, the football team relies on that to pay for multiple things that they’re not getting from the board of education such as uniforms and shoulder pads and other equipment.”
Kuhn personally reviewed the circulated proposal, initially estimated on August 2nd. Using her experience in Real Estate, she led a thorough inspection of the site alongside volunteers and contractors, determining that labor costs alone would reach $19,000, excluding materials. A meticulous assessment at Home Depot put material costs at an additional $11,000.
Acknowledging the challenges in fundraising, Kuhn expressed a temporary dip in momentum but reaffirmed her commitment to the township’s sports programs and broader community interests.
The current funds raised cover approximately two-thirds of the needed total.
Kuhn calls for renewed community efforts to secure the remaining funds, emphasizing the importance of sports and recreational activities for Jackson Township’s youth. Her message is clear: collective action can transform this challenging situation into a positive outcome for all involved.
She also questioned why the board of education won’t fund the project. She noted that the district recently received $1 million in funding that must be used toward improvements to buildings and grounds.
“Help us,” she said. “Take a little bit and put it into your building. You can’t let it go, not do anything for 60 years, and expect it not to fall apart.”
Lifelong Jackson resident and contractor William Materia, owner of Good Mowin’, and Mark Mariot of AME Plumbing are both donating their services to the project.
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