By Mary Ann Bourbeau
LINCROFT – While Jacquie Lee was attending Ranney School in Tinton Falls, she had friends from all over the area, including Union Beach.
Though it’s been nearly two years since Super Storm Sandy devastated the borough, Jacquie understands that many residents are still struggling to recover from the damage, and she knows she is in a position to help.
The 17-year-old Colts Neck resident, who was runner up on the NBC singing competition “The Voice,” will headline a benefit concert at the Robert J. Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College on Saturday, Aug. 23. The event, called “Two Towns – One Voice – One Mission,” is hosted by Operation Provide Comfort.
Also appearing will be her Voice co-contestant, Matthew Schuler and New Jersey’s RockNRoll Chorus.
“I have a voice, which I consider a gift, and I want to use that gift for a reason,” said Jacquie, who just returned from a 31-date Voice Live Tour. “You hear about disasters all around the world, but New Jersey is my home. This is such a good cause, and I’m super excited to do it.”
Lt. Col. James Sfayer, a Colts Neck resident and former Marine, worked with the Colts Neck Township Committee to start Operation Provide Comfort after seeing the devastation in Union Beach, one of the towns hardest hit by the storm.
“We were very lucky because we had very little damage in Colts Neck,” he said. “Union Beach looked like a war zone. We decided our town could sponsor Union Beach, to help one town instead of spreading ourselves all over the shore.”
Jacquie, who has performed in New York City and Atlantic City, is looking forward to her hometown show.
“It’s definitely more nerve-wracking performing in front of people I know, but I’m more excited than nervous,” she said. “This is a cause that’s very close to my heart.”
As a child, Jacquie loved to sing but was extremely shy. It wasn’t until she tried out for a fifth-grade school play that she was able to sing in front of people.
“I thought getting up on stage would be my worst nightmare, but I found I was able to be a more confident version of myself,” she said.
She began performing at coffee houses and area charitable events before being chosen to compete on “The Voice.”
Now that her tour is over, Jacquie will be home-schooled during her senior year while she hones her songwriting skills. She has thoughts of going to college but right now she’s working on an EP with the hopes of releasing her first album early next year. She has been signed to Atlantic Records and her first single, “Broken Ones,” recently broke into the Top 20 on the iTunes Pop Chart.
“I didn’t think my career would be this serious at this point in my life,” she said. “I know I don’t have a normal teenager’s life, but luckily I love what I do, and I know it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
Her family has been hugely supportive of her career, despite the sacrifices they all have to make. Her mother Denise traveled on the entire but tour with Jacquie.
“I have the best mom in the world,” Jacquie said. “She sacrificed so much of her time to be with me. I’m really blessed to have her.”
During the tour, Jacquie’s father Richard remained home with her sister Nicole, 19, and brother Richie, 11. But they all couldn’t be more proud, especially with Jacquie’s goal of helping their neighbors in Union Beach.
“It’s shocking to see the mess that’s down there and all the work that still has to be done,” Richard Lee said. “We’re very proud of Jacquie and we’re looking forward to her bringing attention to the area.”
To date, Operation Provide Comfort has raised $80,000, with the hopes of raising a lot more through concert ticket sales. Sfayer said he hopes this concert will raise awareness of the residents’ needs in the small Raritan Bay borough.
“It’s an uphill battle because the work is far from finished there,” he said. “Our mission is to be there for the long haul after everyone else leaves. We’re fortunate that Jacquie Lee was kind enough to offer to sing for us. Taking the time out of her schedule to put toward this says a lot about her character.”
Tickets for the “Two Towns – One Voice – One Mission” show are $25-$75, with VIP tickets priced at $150. All proceeds will benefit the residents of Union Beach. Tickets are available by calling 800-514-3849 or visiting www.opcunionbeach.org/tickets.
***ITALVibe writer Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com.***END
