How to Help Restore the Shore

Through all of the destruction and heartbreak caused by Super storm Sandy, I hope that we learn to respect nature’s boundaries.  Sandy has brought an opportunity to rebuild smartly and stop over building in  floodplains.  The storm has also shown the value of wetlands and their ability to store and absorb rainwater.  I hope that from Sandy we become more capable of handling stronger climate-change fueled storms.  I also hope that Sandy ends climate silence in the US and the conversation started by Mayor Bloomberg will be carried out by newly re-elected Barack Obama.

Reflecting on the past week or so, I have become an expert at living like a nomad, bouncing from house with power to house with power, as my parents and I continue to wait for power in my hometown…I wait in line to get gas on the day specifically assigned to me by the Governor…I drive through intersections with unlit traffic lights, which may be the weirdest part about not having power.

I went back to my apartment in Sea Bright on the day assigned to me by the town, in the presence of the National Guard.  I waited in line to get on a bus to be taken to my apartment, since no cars are allowed through town.  I am lucky, my studio apartment in a house on Ocean Avenue was spared.  The house itself has been given a 2 on the scale of 1-5, 1 being untouched and 5 being condemned.  Some of the other houses along Ocean Avenue have been spray painted with 5’s, Sandy having come in the back of the house and out the garage to the front.  Beach clubs have been leveled.  The owner of the house I live in has called Sea Bright home all his life and he feels like seeing the town is going “to the wake of a close friend.”  The rest of the Jersey Shore is in similar condition and needs help (see Jersey Shore Hurricane News on Facebook and Twitter).  I believe that the Shore will be open for business again come Memorial Day, celebrating the ultimate Jersey comeback, but we need help to get there.

Here’s how to help Restore the Shore:

Buy some sweet clothes, 100% of the proceeds go to hurricane relief:

• Seven 3 Two Clothing
• Restore the Shore
• Young Whales Brand by Victor Cruz and Nate Collins

Donate to:

• United Way
• Boys and Girls Club:
• Text BegreatNJ to 20222 to donate $10 through phone bill.
• Checks mailed to: 822 Clifton Avenue, Clifton NJ 07013 Indicate “Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund” in the memo line.
• Salvation Army:
• Mail donations to: PO Box 3170, Union NJ 07083 Indicate “Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund” in the memo line.
• Community FoodBank of New Jersey:
• In need of meals in a can; canned fruit, vegetables and soup, peanut butter, granola bars, shelf stable milk, cereal
• Donations can be dropped at the Food Bank 31 Evans Terminal, Hillside,NJ
• Donations can be made online at www.CFBNJ.org/helpnow 
• Urban League of Essex County:
• In need of canned goods, cereal, milk, sandwiches, dry goods, diapers
• Donations may be dropped off 508 Central Avenue, Newark NJ
• Donations can be made online at www.ulec.org/content/donate
• For more info call (973) 624-9535 or go to info@ulec.org
• Red Cross:
• Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10, or visit redcross.org, call (800) RED-CROSS
• Newark’s Covenant House:
• Caring for children evacuated from Atlantic City
• Supplies needed: fuel, groceries, clothes, diapers or donations. To assist e-mail jscozzo@covenanthouse.org
• Governor Chris Christie and First Lady Mary Pat Christie’s Sandy NJ Relief Fund

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Jersey Cares
• National Service Update on Hurricane Sandy