Connie Becraft Joins SOCH Board of Trustees

Connie Becraft, director of community development for St. Francis Parish and Community Center in Brant Beach, was recently appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees of Southern Ocean County Hospital (SOCH), announced Joseph P. Coyle, president and CEO of SOCH.

"I have lived in southern Ocean County since 1974, and I have always been impressed with how SOCH continues to add new services to meet the needs of this area’s growing population," said Ms. Becraft. "We are so lucky to have such a high quality facility in our own back yard, and I look forward to the opportunity, as a new board member, to play a role in the planning process for the Hospital’s future."

Ms. Becraft brings a wealth of knowledge of the southern Ocean County community to her new role on the SOCH board, and she is no stranger to ensuring the successful growth of community-based organizations. Since joining the staff of St. Francis in 1983, the Center has evolved from a facility with a gymnasium and front desk to an organization with 120 full and part-time staff. The Center offers programs such as social services, day care for children and adults, recreation activities and services for senior citizens, includes over 1000 daily meals-on-wheels deliveries.

"As director of community development at St. Francis, Connie Becraft helps ensure that the Center is there for the community, providing for its every need, which is a philosophy that is shared by SOCH," said Mr. Coyle. "It is an honor to welcome her to our Board of Trustees, and I am confident her skills and experience will be a valuable asset to SOCH."

In addition to her new volunteer position as a SOCH board member, Ms. Becraft generously gives of her time to an impressive list of community organizations. One of her first adult volunteer activities was as a Girl Scout leader in the 1980’s, when her daughter, Shannon, was a Brownie, and then a Junior Girl Scout. More recently, her volunteer activities include involvement with the Rotary Club of Long Beach Island (LBI), where she is past-president. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Committee for the Ocean County United Way and as Community Service Director for the LBI Rotary.

Ms. Becraft was also the 2002-2003 Assistant Governor for Rotary District 7500 encompassing the Rotary Clubs of Great Bay, Long Beach Island, Southern Ocean and Forked River. She is the recipient of the 2002-2003 Rotary District 7500 Michael Kittis Community Service Award.

She was also the recipient of the Ocean County Girl Scouts Women of Achievement Award for 2003, and she earned recognition as Woman of the Year from the Barnegat Light Chapter of the American Association of University Women in 2003.

"One of my most important activities as president of the LBI Rotary club was being involved in producing and securing funding for an anti-smoking video used by schools in the area. The Media Departments and Interact Club students from Southern Regional and Lacey Township High School were also involved. The Rotary Club of LBI, Forked River Rotary and Southern Ocean Rotary all worked together on this project," said Ms. Becraft, who, along with SOCH and the Southern Ocean Rotary, helped to secure a matching grant for funding from the Rotary District for this project.

Ms. Becraft lives in Manahawkin with her husband Rich, who retired after 45 years with the post office. They also enjoy spending time with their daughter Shannon, now 34.

For more information about Southern Ocean County Hospital programs and services, call SOCHConnect at 609-978-3400.

Date posted: 06/28/07 @ 3:48 pm

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