The Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) is happy to announce their 19th Annual PTSO Gift Auction. MATES, located at 195 Cedar Bridge Road, Manahawkin. MATES is an esteemed public high school open to Ocean County students in grades 9-12 with a focus on marine and environmental studies. 

We are sure that you get many requests for donations; and making the decision on who to donate to must be a difficult choice. We are hoping that our school will stand out, and you will be generous enough to consider us when making those choices. We are requesting a donation for our gift auction. The auction will be held virtually from Wednesday, April 21, 2021 to Sunday April 25, 2021. There will be an unlimited amount of people able to participate in our event.

The mission of the MATES is to provide an opportunity to students in Ocean County to evolve into critical thinkers, researchers, and problem solvers. Students of this academy will participate in an interactive, challenging and engaging curriculum with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. MATES will empower its students with skills important to post-secondary study and employment in a global community.

As you can see, our school is different from most high schools; we are a specialized public high school that teaches the students the value of our environment.  Everyday these students arrive at school, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to make a difference.  They have a very rigorous curriculum.  No matter the amount of school work these children have, they strive to make a difference, not only in the environment, but in the community around them.   A few examples of the students' passions are: cleaning the beaches and surrounding areas, relay for life teams, food bank contributions, turtle release, and many others.  MATES was even ranked 131 out of the TOP 500 STEM schools in the nation for 2020 by Newsweek Magazine.

All proceeds will be used to help these students achieve their goals of improving our environment and community, and allowing them to further their educational purpose.

We appreciate you taking the time to look over our letter.  All businesses and donors that make a donation will be acknowledged on our auction page.  Businesses will also have their logo and a direct link to their website or facebook page also displayed on our auction site.

Businesses that donate products valued at $250 or more, will additionally be advertised on our auction front page.