EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Chris Smith Stops by Lakewood's Misameach Center Two Days Before Election Day
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., stopped by Misameach Center in Lakewood on Sunday afternoon, two days before Election Day, according to The Digital Free Press, which was there and photographed the visit.
Photos taken by TDFP show Smith being shown through the building, including a largely empty room, and looking at a book with Yaakov Wenger of The Lakewood Shopper in front of a bookshelf. Lipa Schwartz, who heads Misameach, was also at the visit, according to TDFP's reporting. Lakewood Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller joined Smith for the visit, according to The Lakewood Scoop.
Earlier Sunday, Smith was scheduled to appear at Pizza Plus in downtown Lakewood at 2:30 p.m., according to a post on X by Belaaz News.
What Misameach Does
Misameach describes itself on its website as "a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to lifting the spirits of children and adults who are hospitalized, bedridden, or have physical disabilities." The group says it began in 2007 as a small effort of about 10 volunteers.
Its Family Center in Lakewood has a game room, a lounge and a music room with a recording studio, according to the site. Misameach says the center is open to the community at no cost and serves families dealing with special needs, illness, divorce or loss.
The organization's other programs include volunteer visits and entertainment for patients in hospitals and at home, woodworking and arts and crafts projects, large events and family outings. Its website lists more than 1,050 patients and families served, more than 300 volunteers and more than 12,300 gifts given each year, and says its services reach New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California as well as New Jersey.
Misameach says it has outgrown its current facility and is planning a new campus. Its website describes the planned center as having more rooms and quiet areas, including a sensory room, a gym, a pool and a rooftop terrace, and says it is designed to serve more people, including those who are handicapped, visually impaired or sensory challenged.
Chris Smith and Misameach
Sunday's stop was not Smith's first visit to the organization. In February 2018, Smith attended the ribbon cutting for Misameach's Family Center on the Lakewood-Jackson border and presented the group with an official proclamation, The Lakewood Scoop reported at the time. In May 2022, Smith visited the construction site of Misameach's future Family Center in Lakewood, according to a Lakewood Scoop photo post.
Chris Smith's Race on Tuesday
Smith, who lives in Manchester Township, was first elected in 1980 and is serving his 23rd two-year term, according to his House biography. He is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and chairs its Africa Subcommittee.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, he faces Democrat Rachel Peace in New Jersey's 4th Congressional District, which covers parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to the official candidate list from the New Jersey Division of Elections. They are the only two candidates on the list for the seat. TDFP's voter guide for the race compares where the two stand on immigration and election rules.
Sources: The Digital Free Press, on-scene reporting and photos by Yossi Schmidt (Nov. 1, 2026) ; Misameach, About: https://misameach.org/about/ ; Misameach, Family Center: https://misameach.org/family-center/ ; Misameach, New Campus: https://misameach.org/new-campus/ ; Misameach, Programs and Services: https://misameach.org/programs-services/ ; Belaaz News on X (Nov. 1, 2026): https://x.com/TheBelaaz/status/2116951807041675485 ; The Lakewood Scoop, "PHOTOS: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with US Congressman Chris Smith and State Senator Singer for the new Misameach Family Center" (Feb. 21, 2018): https://thelakewoodscoop.com/news/photos-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-with-us-congressman-chris-smith-and-state-senator-singer-for-the-new-misameach-family-center/ ; The Lakewood Scoop, "PHOTO: Congressman Chris Smith visits construction site of future Misameach Family Center in Lakewood" (May 9, 2022): https://thelakewoodscoop.com/news/photo-congressman-chris-smith-visits-construction-site-of-future-misameach-family-center-in-lakewood/ ; Rep. Chris Smith, Biography: https://chrissmith.house.gov/biography/ ; New Jersey Division of Elections, Official List, Candidates for House of Representatives, General Election 11/03/2026: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2026/2026-official-general-candidates-us-house-0904.pdf ; The Digital Free Press, New Jersey 4th District Voter Guide: https://www.thedigitalfreepress.com/post/new-jersey-4th-district-voter-guide-smith-peace-immigration-election-rules ; The Lakewood Scoop on X, Nov. 1, 2026: https://x.com/LakewoodScoop/status/2117016868980400192
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