Supplies from Angels

I am surprised by the donations.   There is a constant stream of building supplies, food, water, coats etc. . . being dropped off in UB.  Towns from all over New Jersey and beyond have been bringing what the town needs to rebuild their homes and lives.  A lady drove a rented truck from Virginia with lightly used appliances for the town.  It was a welcome sight for those that have no way to cook dinner except for a microwave. 

Kids in school buses have delivered lumber.  Churches have delivered thousands of meals for locals and volunteers.  Local business have delivered so many delicious pizzas, pasta, soups, chicken and beef main dishes, salads, desserts!  As christmas approached the deliveries turned to toys and gifts for the residents.  Many were still in hotels or with friends and families.  Christmas was going to be tight for most.  There were so many organizations that helped fulfill the kids and families holiday wish lists.  It was awesome how strangers on the internet bought and sent gifts to borough hall! 

I know there are still many things the town families need but I can tell you HOPE is something that is in abundance here. 

Ed

There are so many wonderful volunteers in Union Beach!!  I noticed Ed around Thanksgiving.  He's a little older than I am but he is strong and spry.  He works moving water and supplies to peoples cars, moving all the donations around outside Borough Hall.  Ed and the other guys work long hours outside in the cold.  I really don't know how they do it.

Ed and I bonded one cold day when he came in for lunch.  I was helping serve and said something sarcastic to him and he quickly responded.  He reminded me of one of my smart-alec brothers (I have 5.)  So from that day on I would recommend the best food that was being served and often joked that I wouldn't touch a certain dish (only because it was so delish) but he never took the bait.  He figured out early on to take the opposite of what I said. 

As Christmas approached the hall was very crowded with gifts, tree decorations, lots of food etc.  Ed and the other guys that carried all of the heavy stuff were very busy in December.  When I showed up January 2nd I heard Ed was sick.  I was sorry to hear that he wasn't feeling well.  It's not the same without Ed.  I miss you.

January 2nd, 2013

It's a new year!   2013 arrived quietly.  2013 still has many families on the east coast homeless because of Hurricane Sandy.  2013 I going to be the year of rebuilding lives and towns.

I went to the pantry with a friend - Kelly.  We sat at the sign in table for a while.  We asked everyone that was signing in for supplies how their holidays were.  Low key was what we heard.  The new normal in Union Beach.  Low key because most did not spend it in their homes.  Most did not hold their family celebrations with kids, grandkids and great grandkids in their homes.  Most did not have their treasured family ornaments.  Most did not have their china to eat on.  So Low Key pretty much described 2012 Christmas.

There was not much going on when I arrived in Borough Hall.  Volunteers that went home to Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and other states have not returned in full force.  There were local volunteers that were helping deliver drywall and lumber.   There were volunteers serving lunch.  There were volunteers sorting donations that showed up. 

I did not mention that there were smiles.  Even though most were not in their homes for the holidays they were thankful.  Thankful and hopeful. 

Sir Edward & Lucky!!

Well my title of the post pretty much says it all. . .

Meet Lucky (left)  and Sir Edward!

 

 

 

I was volunteering in Union Beach for 2 weeks.  One day I noticed 2 dogs heading to lunch with their mom.   They are quiet, polite and did I mention quiet???   I was flabbergasted. . .funny word!! I could not believe how well behaved they were. How damn quiet they are and how they truly loved being with mom every day!!  They have been going to work with their mom since the hurricane.  They lost their home.  They lost their yard.  They lost everything that was familiar to them. 

 

I had actually forgotten about pets.  I have two wiener dogs (that we adopted.)  I never thought what happened to all the pets - furry, feathery etc. . .Since Hurricane Sandy turned children's and parents lives upside down.  What happened to the animals in town??  Lots of lucky animals were evacuated with their families.  Some pets were not as lucky for their families were totally blindsided with the water that entered the town and their homes. 

 

Working at Borough Hall since early November  I have noticed that lots of people have asked if there is dog and cat food available.  I asked them if they have pets. . . most do but there are some kind souls that are feeding the recently homeless pet population.  A piece of the puzzle that I had forgotten about.  Ones that are homeless not because they were uncared for, not because they were unloved, not because they were unworthy - just a huge wave that got in the way. 

 

Sir Edward and Lucky are in the "homeless" boat but they are  blessed to be with their family.  They get to go to work every day with their mom!  Their mom works in borough hall.  Sir Edward and Lucky get to nap by their moms desk each day!  They get to ride in the car each morning with their mom - on their way to work!  They ride home each day and spend their nights next to their moms blow up bed.  I'm not sure how they are coping with the HUGE change in living arrangements.  I'm not sure how they are dealing with a change of scenery at home.  I'm not sure how they are dealing with their new "normal" since the storm.

 

I told their mom how sweet and well behaved they are.  I told her my pups would be barking at each new person that arrived in borough hall - how my pups would be getting into trouble and not napping like her kids (yes kids.)  Some of us are blessed with 2 legged kids and some of us are truly blessed to have 4 legged kids.  Kids that never talk back to you.  Kids that never yell at you.  Kids that never complain - ever.  Kids that are always happy to see you no matter what!

 

There is really nothing like a sweet, warm kiss from a four legged angel!

 

 

 

 

 



You Don't Know Jack!

As with most days working in UB there are always new faces showing up.  One day around the holidays I walked over and asked one of the guys that works outside if he lived close and how did he make it through the hurricane.  I was surprised to find that he lived in Las Vegas and was taking a sebbatical from his job at a large casino.  He said he grew up close to UB in Allenhurst, NJ.  When he saw the pictures on the news and heard from friends back east how bad the storm was he knew he needed to be back east helping his friends and neighbors. 

This is the story I hear all of the time.  Someone is moved by a picture and has to go help - period.  In a way we are all extensions of Gods hands.  Some of us move towards money and powerful jobs. Some of us move towards families and raising good kids.  Some of us move towards pursuing our dreams in school.  Some of us fill our extra hours volunteering.  Funny how these very different people all have been through Borough Hall in a little town named Union Beach!  A very different mix of jobs and incomes.  Still one common thread that pulled us all together.  A terrible storm that devastated small communities up and down the East Coast.  We all felt that ache inside that said GO HELP. 

I am blessed to have met so many caring people that are helping others in need. 

Charlie

I showed up to Borough Hall election day November 6th.  That was 8 days after Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey.  My power was finally turned on 6 days after the storm.  So I set out to find Union Beach after I threw everything in my fridge and freezers in the garbage.  I find my way and park in the mud across from the police station side of the hall.  I noticed a man dressed warmly stopping traffic for people crossing.  He was wearing a heavy construction one piece coat/pants thingy and a hat.  He smiled at me as he let me cross.  I worked til late that night and noticed the man was still directing traffic in the dark.  No flashlight.

The second day I was in Union Beach I went to my car to get something and noticed the traffic guy was still helping people cross - he still had no flashlight and it was getting dark.  I asked him if he needed anything.  He said a flashlight!!  I went into the supplies area and asked if we had any flashlights. . . needless to say we did not.  Most of town was still without electricity.  Candles and flashlights were in high demand with the towns people.  I went up to an EMT and asked him if he knew where I could find a flashlight.  I was surprised to see him taking the one off of his chest that he used.  (this is how the whole town operates!)  I told him it was for the guy directing traffic and he said no problem.  I went out and met the awesome guy directing traffic and handed him the flashlight.  He said his name was Charlie.  I asked him if he lived in Union Beach - he said he grew up here but now lives in Aberdeen.  He was fighting back tears when he spoke of his town.  Wow!  Pulled back to town because of a terrible storm.  I found out he started directing traffic soon after the food and clothing donations stated showing up. 

As the days passed by there were really cold days when the guys working outside needed hats and gloves and then we had a few very mild days when everyone took off their coats and sweatshirts.  We had rain and snow. . . it didn't matter the weather because Charlie showed up.  Like a postman rain or shine!  He always had a hug for me and a big smile telling me about all of the awesome donations that were coming in.  Charlie directed traffic so people could cross the street safely, load their food and supplies into their cars and kept everyone safe when donations were being dropped off.  He didn't take weekends off like I did.  He pushed through each day to make sure everyone was safe.  I remember 10 days after I showed up he still had his flashlight that was given without being expected to be returned to that awesome EMT.  Charlie has some long hard days - especially when the tractor trailers came and had to be unloaded but he managed to keep drivers happy and pedestrians safe. 

I looked forward to his hugs and kind words.  I was touched by his strong connection to the town.  Everyone knew Charlie.  The guys that worked outside moving donations and supplies were like family that all joked with Charlie.  What an awesome guy - like sunshine on a cloudy day!!  Then one day about a month after the storm hit Union Beach Charlie wasn't there.  He had obligations at home and other jobs to get back to.  He told me that basketball was starting up and he looked forward to that each year - he was a coach. 

There are some awesome volunteers that work in Union Beach, NJ.   I am so happy to have met Charlie.   He always put a smile on my face!

 

Pre Christmas

I went to an awesome church service in Holmdel on December 23rd.  Carl Williamson is head pastor of a great church that is nestled into the woods off the parkway! (for those of you who don't know Carl he along with Gigi have help arrange all of the volunteers and donations for the Union Beach recovery in Borough Hall)   I arrived a little early with my husband.  We were welcomed by the members of this close knit community church.  I loved how family oriented it was.  Much like the ones my kids grew up in.  There was singing that lifted our spirits high.  With it being the holidays there are so many songs about Christmas (my favorite time of year!!) 

Carl delivered an awesome sermon about Jesus arriving in the middle of a "storm" so to speak.  Just like hurricane Sandy hit Union Beach - there can never be a good time for a huge devastating storm.  As he wove his words together I could feel tears running down my face.  It was such a freeing cry.  I could feel all of the hurt, anger, surprise and shock that the town felt when the storm hit.  I could feel letting go and healing begin in those few moments of tears.  We sang a few more uplifting worship songs and then headed towards tables of treats for fellowship time. 

The kids in the church were very excited because they were expecting a special visitor that day.   As the kids were visiting with Santa I visited with friends I have met in Union Beach.  We were all thankful for an awesome day and how blessed we all are to have Union Beach to bring us all together!