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The Hope Rises Concert presents Chris Pinnella

Friday, June 02, 2023 @ 8:00pm



Grunin Center
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754

Join powerhouse vocalist Chris Pinnella (formerly of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra) as he returns to The Grunin Center for a one night only performance in support of The Hope Center’s 3rd Annual “Hope Rises Concert.”

The evening will feature Pinnella’s stellar 9-Piece Band playing through some of Billy Joel and Elton John’s Biggest Hits, Live Favorites, and B-Sides. From Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Zanzibar, Movin’ Out, and Big Shot to Tiny Dancer, I’m Still Standing, Rocket Man, Your Song, and so many more.  This show will have the audience singing along all night!

Pinnella delivers with rock n’ roll good looks and stunning vocals.” (New England Music News)

Pinnella has the pipes to deliver the sincerity of each lyric in all its glory.” (Tri-City News)

About the Hope Center

Approximately 19 years ago, a number of clergy from various faith-based organizations in Toms River gathered together to address the growing needs of the under-served population in the greater Toms River Community. From these discussions came the concept of building a “House of Hope” to provide a central place where people in need could turn. In 2008, this dream became a reality as the House of Hope was opened and The Hope Center became operational.

The Hope Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is supported by our faith-based partners, our dedicated staff, our hundreds of volunteers, organizations who have provided grants and other funding to support our work, and finally, the many friends of The Hope Center who have provided their time, love, and support.

“Within a place of hope and faith, The Hope Center’s mission is to serve individuals and families in crisis with dignity and compassion, providing for their basic human needs and striving to empower each person to achieve his or her greatest level of self-sufficiency.”

The staff and volunteers of The Hope Center work to prevent individuals and families from entering the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Services include a Food Pantry to our clients in a “client-choice” environment which our guests find more dignified and empowering and a community garden which produces fresh vegetables and herbs for our guests to take home for their families to enjoy. Emergency shelter assistance, rental and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, and transportation are additional services provided to our guests.

What kind of impact has The Hope Center had in serving our neighbors and communities?

2022 was a record year for The Hope Center!  With the generous support of those in our community, The Hope Center was able to assist 23,185 men, women, and children, provided 277,754 pounds of food through our full-service, client-choice pantry, provided individuals and families with 273 nights of safe, emergency shelter and 660 nights of shelter through rental assistance, 18 households with utilities assistance and 35 households with transportation. Guests were also referred to agencies for assistance in acquiring permanent housing. In addition, The Hope Center distributes gifts of warmth, diapers,  Thanksgiving and Easter baskets, backpacks filled with school supplies, and toys to those in need during the Christmas holiday.

The Hope Center is located at 253 Chestnut Street, Toms River, NJ 08753. To learn more about The Hope Center, please call 732-341-4447 or visit www.HouseOfHopeOcean.org.




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