Friends of the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, NJ

Who We Are

The Sandy Hook Foundation is the official friends group to the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Established in 1989, the Foundation has funded cultural, educational, environmental, and conservation programs and has helped restore and preserve historic structures of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Fort Hancock — both National Historic Landmarks.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporations, as well as dedicated volunteers, to accomplish our mission.

Our Mission

Our mission is to enrich visitors’ experience at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. We accomplish this through a combination of initiatives:

  • Advocating, preserving, enhancing, and rehabilitating park resources

  • Supporting public programs and services

  • Raising public awareness through communication

  • Fundraising — sustained financial support

  • Communicating with our partners at Gateway National Recreation Area, the National Park Service, and U.S. Department of the Interior

2025 Board of Trustees
L. to R.: Minka Sendich, NPS Acting Superintendent; CJ Gutch; Leo DaSilva, NPS Acting Sandy Hook Unit Coordinator; Brian Malley; Russ Smith; Eric Dowell, Secretary; Chuck Rutledge; Matt Haddad; Pete Izzo, Chairman; Ellen Bollinger; Dick Lilleston, Treasurer; Shannon Torres; Jeff Friedman; Christine Harrington. Missing: Gerry Glaser; Maren Morsch; Scott Rosenblum

Staff

  • Laurie Bratone, Executive Director - Contact Laurie

  • Jill Sullivan, Director of Marketing, Events and Programs - Contact Jill

What is a Friends Group?

“Friends groups have long been the primary philanthropic partners of the National Park Service (NPS). They go by many names, such as Foundation, Trust, Association, and Conservancy. They maintain long-term relationships with the NPS, and they support parks and programs in a variety of ways, including fundraising and providing volunteers, donated goods, and services. While some groups maintain full-time fundraising staff and engage in multi-million dollar capital campaigns, others provide valuable volunteer support or more targeted philanthropic support, especially for smaller or lesser-known parks or programs. Regardless of their size, their importance in addressing park needs, being a voice in neighboring communities, and creating future stewards is invaluable.”

-National Park Service, Director’s Order #21