A memorial at the Jersey Shore that drew many to honor the victims of the pandemic is now removed.

A group of volunteers dismantled the memorial in Belmar on Sunday after the town asked for it to be taken away.

The tribute was started by Rima Samman, who built it in memory of her brother who died of COVID-19 last year.

It continued to grow as people asked for their loved ones' names to be added, some of whom drove hundreds of miles to make additions.

"We do want to create a gallery or some kind of memorial space where people can go and honor their loved and it still feels respectful and serene, so that's our ultimate goal," says Samman.

She says she hasn't yet found a new home for the memorial but they hope to preserve the pieces in storage until they find one.

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