Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation

The Boosters Auxiliary was founded in the 1940s by a group of women on Long Beach Island who believe they needed a local hospital. Armed with pails, the group asked for donations from visitors and locals who were basking in the summer sun and dining in local restaurants. When Southern Ocean County Hospital (now Southern Ocean Medical Center) opened its doors in 1972, the Boosters didn’t quit.

Today, the Boosters Auxiliary operates the hospital gift shop called “The Bird Cage,” which is conveniently located just off of the hospital’s main lobby. They remain an active fundraising component for the medical center and have played a significant role in helping to purchase health care equipment and new technology so that Southern Ocean Medical Center can continue to meet the growing needs of the community.

The Holly Auxiliary, made up of volunteers from Barnegat, Waretown, Forked River, Whiting and Bayville, promotes charitable fundraising and volunteer activities to help advance health care at Southern Ocean Medical Center. The group operates the Holly Auxiliary thrift shop, which can be found in the Waretown Plaza, on Route 9 in Waretown. They accept and sell men’s, women’s and children’s clothing; shoes and accessories; housewares and small appliances; books; records; video tapes; games; and puzzles.

Donations are accepted Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The shop is closed on Monday and Sunday. The shop does not accept mattresses, encyclopedias, computers, printers, bowling balls and they do not accept any childrens items or clothing.

The Laurel Auxiliary was established in 1974 and engages in a variety of fundraising efforts to support Southern Ocean Medical Center. In recent years, gifts to the Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation from the Laurel Auxiliary have helped to purchase various pieces of clinical equipment, including those used in the Southern Ocean Medical Center Cancer Center, the Center for Health in Little Egg Harbor, the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and the Women’s Imaging Center. 

Laurel Auxiliary also operates the “Second Time Around” thrift shop, located at 123 East Main Street in Tuckerton. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday until 2 p.m.

The shop does not accept mattresses, bed pillows, furniture, computers, printers, televisions, large appliances, childrens car seats, high chairs or cribs. Donations are accepted through the rear entrance of the store, please bring them inside to the front desk. If you have any questions, please call 609-294-9869.

The SOCH Auxiliary traces its roots to 1955 when a few women saw the need for a local hospital. Their dreams were realized when Southern County Hospital (now Southern Ocean Medical Center) opened its doors in 1972.

In 1955, the group also opened the “Old and New Shop,” which has blossomed from a garage sale store located in a beauty shop to a $300,000+ business that has taken countless volunteer hours and dedication to create.

Located at 440 East Bay Avenue in Manahawkin, the shop does not accept mattresses, mattress covers, bed pillows, large appliances, printers, large furniture, childrens car seats, childrens high chairs or cribs. Donations are accepted at the rear entrance Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Donations are not accepted on Thursday and the shop is closed on Saturday and Sunday.