Page 3 story & caps

A parent's worst nightmare is find that their child is missing. This past Sunday more than 120 children came out to the New Egypt Elks Lodge as part of program that would assist parents should that nightmare ever become a reality.

The New Egypt Elks Handicapped Children's Committee and the Ocean County Sheriff's Department joined forces to sponsor the Child ID program at the Elks Lodge #2457 from 1-4 p.m.

Children were measured, weighed, and had their photo taken for laminated ID cards which were provided free of charge. The walletsized cards featured importantinformation such as their doctor's name and phone numbers and if known their blood type. In the event that the child was ever lost parents and authorities could take prompt action with up to date information.

Ocean County Sheriff's Department Detectives Gary Parker and Sharon Weinberger oversaw the afternoon's program. In addition to serving as a child location device, the child ID card can also be used to teach children about ways to protect themselves. With proper supervision, a child may be allowed to carry an ID card.

With guidance from their caretakers children can learn responsiblity to safeguard the child ID card and to be taught to be responsible for their own safety.

New Egypt resident Edie Pannone brought her daughters Jessi, 6, and Kristi, 4, to the Elks Lodge on Sunday. "It is a fantastic program. It is the worst fear of every parent to lose a child or to have them abuducted. Doing this was a no brainer at a time when your child is missing your distrought, your not thinking clearly but with this you have all the information that would help police find them."

Detective Parker said that this year marks the twelfth year for the program which originates out of the Sheriff's Department's Special Projects office. "We go out to schools throughout the county every day. We produce these cards for about 58,000 children."

"We also do this in the evenings. Sometimes we work with organizations like the Elks who provide a setting for it. We always look forward to coming here in New Egypt every year," Parker added.

"About 80 percent of the time even parents don't realize the height and weight of their child which is why we do it here when they have their photo taken," Parker said.

"I learned about this through a flyer my daughter brought home from school although this is her third year to have it done," Carolynn Coyle said. This year she brought her 4-year old son Adam along too. "It is a great idea. In a panic its a wonderful thing to have."

The detective said that one of the prime spots to have the identification cards done is the Ocean County Fair. "We're there 16 hours a day."

"We also do senior identification cards which can also be used as legal IDs for the seniors. They can't use them to cash checks however," Parker said.

Last year the New Egypt program had 120 children turn out for the photo IDs. "This year we went beyond that," said Elks ID Chairman Stan Reynolds. "We've very glad to support this."

The Elks added a new feature to the program with a hoagie sale. Tasty hoagies we made by members of the Handicapped Children's Committee and sold to those who stopped by. The Elks wished to thank the local Wawa store for sponsoring the event.

Handicapped Children's Chairman Terry Conk was pleased to announce that the lodge was refurbishing a room in their building as a "handicapped children's room. It will be a storage area where we can put 10 beds and 10 wheel chairs. It should be open by the spring and we're going to dediate the room in the name of a Lakewood man whose foundation has helped us," Conk said.

The New Egypt Elks's next big event is their next "Comedy Nite" on February 5 which will benefit the handicapped children's program.

Photos

Posing during Sunday's Child ID program at the New Egypt Elks Lodge is (left-right) Daniel Villanueva, 14, Lauren Cowell, 7, Noah and Cody Conk, Elks ID Chairman Stan Reynolds, Handicapped Children's Committee Chairman Terry Conk and Ocean County Sheriff's Department Detective Gary Parker.

The New Egypt Elks Hoagie Committee prepares a sandwich for a hungry editor and his photographer during Sunday's event. From left-right is Mike Cowell, John Cosma, Stan Sherman, Gary Conk and Mike Amico.

Rebecca Coyle, 7, of New Egypt takes part in the annual New Egypt Elks/Ocean County Sheriff's Department Child ID program held at the lodge on Sunday afternoon.

Jessi Pannone, 6 and her sister Kristi, 4 of New Egypt have their photo taken for the Child ID program held at the New Egypt Elks Lodge. Ocean County Sheriff's Department Detective Gary Parker is seen directing the program.

Jana Conk, 12 is getting measured as part of the Child ID program that was held at the New Egypt Elks Lodge on Sunday afternoon.

Photos by Mary Francen