With most, but not all of Verona back in heat and light, several people in town are turning to help those whose recovery from Hurricane Sandy is going to take much longer than ours.
UPDATE: Lots more options to help
- Hardbodyz Fitness will be collecting donations of all kinds, clothes, food, toiletries, diapers, non-perishables, batteries, gloves, mops, brooms, paper towels, etc. Drop off at Hardbodyz, 129 Bloomfield Avenue next to Miele’s. The gym will be sending out shipments every few days to shelters and relief centers in the tri-state area.
- Two Verona firefighters will be going to Bay Head this weekend and are collecting supplies for anyone interested in donating. The drop off point is asking for personal hygiene products, dry goods, baby needs like diapers and pet supplies. They also mentioned canned foods, chaffing dishes and sternos would help as well. E-mail Steve Neale at [email protected] by Friday morning.
- Verona Mayor Frank Sapienza has set up a Facebook page “From The North To The South” to aid relief efforts.
Tia D’Addario, owner of Tia’s Food of Love, put out an appeal through Facebook late last week to help shelters at the Jersey Shore. On Saturday, her storefront was flooded with supplies for people and their pets.
Jon Warner has let us know that Guerrero BJJ, the Brazilian jiu jitsu studio that used to be opposite Everett Field, is collecting for several families on Staten Island and a family in Newark whose home burned down during the storm’s aftermath. You can bring food, clothes, water and batteries to Guerrero’s new location at 373 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell from Monday to Thursday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Yoga teacher Robin Wallace is organizing donations for a shelter in Belmar, where her sister lives. She knows many of the people using the shelter and knows what they need most. Doreen Arminio, the owner of Verona Yoga, is going to be helping with the logistics of the collection and delivery. You can bring diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies (mops, buckets, brooms, cleaners, rubber gloves)Â new underwear, bras and socks, and winter coats (gently used OK), as well as hair brushes and hair ties or scrunchies to Verona Yoga, which is located at 546 Bloomfield Avenue, just opposite Verona Park. The first run to the shore will be Tuesday or Wednesday. Arminio will keep us posted as needs at the shelter change and additional collection points are added.
The Garcias are helping a collection for Ocean Gate Elementary School, across the bay from Seaside. They are asking for new coats, beds, blankets, baby supplies and toys, as well as flashlights, batteries, candles and non-perishable food for people and pets. Gift cards are also a good idea. Drop off items on the Garcia’s front porch, 105 Cumberland Avenue, by Tuesday night. They will drive things down on Wednesday.
And we got this email from the Giuliano family this morning:
Friends and Family,
We are happy to say that we finally have power after a week of inconvenience, but this is nothing compared to what some have experienced over the last week. I know we all want to do something, but if you are like us, not sure what to do to help those in need in Long Island, Staten Island and the Jersey Shore.  Charlie and I are planning a visit to one of these locations by end of the week. We are hoping that you will help us in donating whatever you can to bring to these unfortunate people. A family friend in Manahawkin has lost his home, everything he owns. This was his primary residence. There are so many like him!  THese people are asking for simple things, batteries, flashlights, gargbage bags, cleaning supplies, paper towels , brooms, gloves, blankets, coats, clothes, food. Please help up by donating whatever you possibly can. What we, as a family, have learned this week is that we can do without much more than what we have and we take so much for granted. Lets give to who are in need.
Please forward to your friends and family members and drop off your donations to my house 5 Woodland Ave, Verona
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
The Giuliano Family
Statewide, the Red Cross and United Way are collecting for hurricane victims as well. There is also the state’s Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
