When Linda Gillick was told that her three-month-old son had cancer, the Toms River resident was determined to find answers. That was 35 years ago. Since then, Linda embarked on a crusade that would make a huge impact on the community and attract national attention. As more and more children from the Toms River area faced cancer diagnoses, Linda pushed to get state health officials to look into environmental causes for the unusually high cancer incidence. This got the attention of journalists and investigators who confirmed illegal dumping of chemicals into the local water waterways. Linda’s tireless efforts led to funding of research and forced cleanup of several sites in the area. She is the founder and executive director of Ocean of Love, an organization that provides much needed support, information and care to the local families that are struggling with the disease. The Ocean County nonprofit has served more than 450 families since its 1988 inception. Linda’s son Michael has defied the odds but still is hounded by cancer’s aftereffects, which inspired Linda to author For the Love of Mike, and was chronicled in the book Toms River: A Story of Science and Salvation. Linda’s work is truly incredible in that she not only attacked her own problem, but proactively attempted to solve the environmental clean-up and helped others outside her family who were suffering. For aiding her local community in a multi-faceted way, she is the recipient of the $35,000 award.

Ocean of Love is a non-profit that is dedicated to helping the children of Ocean County with cancer and their families. Ocean of Love provides a safe space for the children and their families, as well as emotional and financial support to allow the children to experience a more “normal” childhood. Additionally, they provide travel expenses for treatments, assistance with household bills & food, funeral expenses, family parties, support groups and much more.