The guy behind the scenes

FOR LIFELONG RESIDENT and devoted volunteer Kerry McBride, Spring Lake’s beaches, boardwalks and ballfields are places where memories were made and cherished. Having grown up in Spring Lake Heights and now raising six children here, Kerry has become one of those familiar, steady figures in town—the kind of neighbor who shows up, lends a hand and makes things happen behind the scenes.

Professionally, McBride and his brothers’ family business, McBride Awning Company, have been helping Jersey Shore towns maintain their charm with custom awning installations since 1660. Whether he’s building Broadway-worthy sets for a high school musical, fundraising for the band or adorning local porches with their iconic colorful awnings, his love for this community runs deep—and it shows.

What was it like growing up in Spring Lake?

I’ve never lost sight of how fortunate I am to have grown up in Spring Lake Heights. As a kid, we had the beaches in the summer, and great rec programs like Little League and soccer, with amazing coaches like  Elwood Malick and Mr. Oberto, to name a few. I was fortunate enough to attend St. Catharine’s and Spring Lake Heights Elementary School, and I graduated from Manasquan High School, which all of my children attended and graduated from as well.

What are some of your favorite memories from your childhood?

Running on the boardwalk, which I still enjoy doing (although now it’s more of a walk). My street was filled with kids my age, including my cousins who lived next door. There were always activities out in the street. I have fond memories of having a catch with a football or baseball with my cousin Tommy, who was a star athlete and one of my earliest heroes. I also loved to go to the Spring Lake Heights Fireman’s Fair as a kid.

What is it like raising a big family in the same town where you grew up?

It’s so nice seeing them do stuff I did as a kid, riding bikes to the beach, tennis at Allaire Road Park, attending the same church I grew up in. I enjoy sharing those memories with them. Now that they’re older, they’re going to the same clubs I used to go to—The Osprey, Leggetts and Parker House. Although, they’re missing out on seeing The Courteous Drivers play downstairs at The Ale House.

Are your children involved in the same community or school programs you support?

Yes, my daughters Orla and Emma and my son Ryan played in the Manasquan High School band; all three were assistant drum majors. When my oldest daughter joined the band, a small group of parents formed the Manasquan Warrior Band Parents Association in 2015, and I’ve been a part of it ever since.

My daughters Erin, Emma and Orla were members of the MHS Drama Club. When they joined, I started volunteering to build the sets for the plays and musicals that were under the direction of Mr. Weisert at the time. I’m still doing them to this day under the direction of Ms. Schille.

 

What first inspired you to start volunteering in the community?

As a young boy, I was inspired by my coaches and knew I wanted to be a part of my community when I was older. Since my kids weren’t too involved in sports, I found other ways to volunteer.

What motivates you to keep showing up and giving your time?

At first you think you’re doing it because of your kids, but then you work with other parents and see their children’s successes. Even though all my children have graduated from high school, I still get satisfaction from helping other children and seeing them do great things.

You’ve been a huge supporter of the local high school band—what drew you to that?

Helping with the band started out at Spring Lake Heights Elementary School with music teachers such as Mrs. Morton and Ms. Gambino, and parents like Trish Bauter. It was fun to help out the band. At one time, I think all six of my children were in it.

When they joined high school band, they desperately needed new uniforms. We raised money to get the new uniforms and raincoats that they still have today. Through the efforts of the Band Parent Association, we’ve raised money so the students of the band and choir can go on trips like to Hershey Park, where they perform and have fun.

What was it like to build sets for the high school musicals and win two Basie Awards?

As set designer, I draw plans and research the play about two to three months before we start construction. The musical for the following year is announced at the drama banquet in June, and as soon as I know the show, I start planning and looking for set pieces. At the end of December, we start building pieces, and by February, we start building pieces on the

stage. The students stay after school to help us paint and put set pieces together.

During the performance week, members from the Count Basie Theater come to see the shows and judge everything from best actor to director to set design. If you’re lucky enough to get nominated, in late May you attend the Count Basie Awards night, with all the glitz and glamour of the Oscars or the Tonys. In 2023, I was lucky enough to be nominated and win for the set design of “Mamma Mia.” In 2024, I won again for the set design of the musical “Into the Woods.”

What does community mean to you?

When I think of community, I think of friends and neighbors coming together to help each other. When my wife had cancer and was in hospice, many friends and neighbors brought food over for my children, helped with rides and were there to support us with their kindness. And while I’ve been going through treatment for Stage 4 cancer, a group from St. Catharine’s Church, Loaves and Fishes, brings food by once a week.

What do you hope your kids—and other young people in Spring Lake—learn from your example?

I would hope they learn that helping out your community can be very rewarding. It can be anything from a one-day volunteer event like cleaning up the beach to a long-term volunteer job like helping out the Spring Lake First Aid Squad.

What other volunteer work do you do?

I’m involved in my son Ryan’s Boy Scout Troop 31 Spring Lake, where he became an Eagle Scout, alongside leaders such as John Sisti and John Fudge, who helped my son with his Eagle Scout Project when I was sick. I’ve been a CCD teacher at St. Catharine’s School for many years and just signed on to teach a CCD class at Saints Mark’s in Sea Girt. I’m also a member of the MHS Alumni Foundation, which under the leadership of Rob Schatzman and Jeff Osborn, alongside the Liv Morro Foundation, raised money to renovate the MHS theater lighting and sound systems and stage curtains. I look forward to continuing to help volunteer my time to these organizations, as well as others.

BY DANIELLE KUTCHER