This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

My 7 Days of Volunteering after Hurricane Sandy..Something I will never forget.

My story of volunteering after Hurricane Sandy.

This is my account of what I heard and saw after hurricane Sandy. My 7 days.

Just packed up two boxes of clothes, shoes, books and some of my Warren Retrievers shirts to take to the shelters...If anyone around here has any towels, socks, shoes, clothes, soaps etc.. Let me know.

I'm finally reading the papers. And looking at the pictures of the devastation, the faces of so many I don't even know, but yet could have met while in seaside so many times...Most likely I could have said Hello to, smiled at, help them with a crying child, held open a door, started a conversation with them on a bench because they were alone or just said Hi, have a nice day.

Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

These people are displaced; these people are our neighbors because these people are the Jersey Shore.  A place 15 minutes from us; a place that we went often is now no more, as I'm reading and looking, I know this could have been me and my family. Wondering like all Of them, What do we do now? Where do we go from here? We have nothing, no Documentations, no money. It was all lost. As we were forced to a mandatory evacuation. You pack what u can and leave, never thinking you will have no place to come back to. It hurts my heart to know this is happening right outside my door as well, just 5 minutes from me. It saddens me that our friends, neighbors as well as strangers are going through this. I pray for them all. As myself, my family and my development were one of the lucky ones. Having no understanding of what they all are going through. May God Bless them all. But thank God, they have each other..

 

Find out what's happening in Berkeleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Day 1 Hurricane Sandy stories:

 I'm in tears right now...going to Mickey D’s. As We are at the stop light at the Wal-Mart in Lacey, we look over in the parking lot and what do we see? We see mobile homes/cars with trailers. They are now living in wal-marts parking lot ...those are  the people that lost their homes, and then as we are walking in to Mickey D's, what do we see? Someone’s car packed to the gill with whatever they could grab. I have never seen this before. Except the Johnstown Flood in 1977...I was really too young to understand. But now, being a mom/adult...It hurts my heart. I HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT...WE ARE COMPLETELY LUCKY..:..

Will gather more stuff and tomorrow bring it to the shelter...God be with them all...

 

Day 2...Hurricane Sandy stories:

I will never forget what I saw today at the school shelter. I’m literally crying my eyes out for what I saw and heard ( the impact that this hurricane has left not only in my heart but my mind as well, forever.  I will never forget the FACES, TEARS AND THE LOOKS OF SADNESS, and DISPLACEMENT on them all.

The stories, one woman told me she was in a tree with her two kids waiting to be rescued because that is how fast the water came up, Rescuers never came. She had to wait for the water to go down enough...(she lived in Brick) the water was too high where she was, no one could get in or out.

 A little girl (Desiree 7yr.old, as Nick and I are finding clothes for her (she was smiling, we were trying to make it fun. Pretty jeans with sparkles on them etc.) YES, I LOVE THEM. SHE SAID, WITH THE BIGGEST BRIGHTEST SMILE EVER. She then; through her laughter asked her mom.."why are we still here, I want to go home.  All stories are different but the impact was the same..

THE DEVASTATION IS THE SAME, THE LOSS IS THE SAME. Then I go down one road Butler Blvd..2 minutes from me, they lost everything. It looked like something you only see on T.V. and the smell was awful...they have to rebuild...they live right down the road from me..2 minutes. They are friends of mine and my kids. Those are what people down here are going through...me, us, we, we are the lucky ones.

My heart goes out to these people, I wish there was more I could do, I wish I could offer more, I wish, I wish, My wishes won't do any of them any good. But I wish this never happened...I wish this was all a nightmare that they can wake up from, this day when our town, our state as well as others on the East coast I will remember for always...Oct 29, 2012 THE DAY THAT HELL CAME IN...God help all these people.  Have to wait to see about tomorrow...

 

Day 3 Hurricane Sandy Stories:

Before I go to bed I have to share these two stories with you that people told me themselves. As I am directing traffic into the rec. parking lot, I ask what they need, Ice, water, Clothing food etc. and then direct them to the appropriate lane. As I am asking one father and daughter, I see the tears in her eyes. They need water and ice, but have nothing to put the ice in, I tell them pull over into a parking space when I move the cones and tell them to wait. I go inside, see a rubber made container, tell the woman in side I am taking it as I empty the shoes on the floor and said sorry. One girl Lisa asks if everything is okay. I turn with tears in my eyes and say no, tell her someone needs ice but has nothing to put it in. I deliver it to the woman as she proceeds to tell me. She is an EMT, was working in the storm and came home to her bottom level of her home destroyed. She was out helping people and came back to an unlivable home. She cried as I hugged her for about 5 minutes and told us how grateful she was. It broke our hearts; we hugged her father as we told them our prayers are with them both.

Another story a woman came in who lost everything and had her 1 yr. old daughter in the car, again. I asked the same questions again, I directed her over to park as she broke into tears and couldn't drive in the right lane. She proceeds to tell me they lost everything and her daughter is cold. She just needs some clothes and water. I asked her where she was staying; she said at a friend’s, again, they have no power. I directed her inside to get whatever she needed and told her about the shelter at the high school; again, gave out hugs and cried tears.

I can go on,  but I won't, there are in the last 3 days more stories than I can count, all different but yet all the same sadness and feeling of helplessness. And as I am standing out there freezing my butt off and helping to do whatever I can, I know at the end of the day I have a warm home to go to, a bed to sleep in, food in the cabinets, hot shower and clean, warm and dry clothes to put on the next day. You see; we were the lucky ones....I thank God every day for keeping us safe, but will never forget what all others went through and will for months to come. You see, this is real; this is what Hurricane Sandy did. Please remember if you live in the areas that were affected, A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE US WEREN'T SO LUCKY..PLEASE COUNT YOUR BLESSING AND HELP SOMEONE IN NEED...

 

Day 4 Hurricane Sandy Stories:

As we are putting ice and water in peoples/car I tell a new volunteer the ice goes on the floor, the woman said, oh you can put it on the seat, it doesn't matter, I said, oh no ma'am we are still trying to be respectful, she looks at me and says now you are going to make me cry, as she starts to wipe the tears away she looks at me and says thank you, now she is really crying, I lean in tell her I hope everything will be okay and give again another hug out as well as tears. I lean inside and again, give another hug with tears attached.  I can’t even begin to tell everyone what it was like, to hear the stories, one after another from those who felt compelled to share, because they were just so overwhelmed with sorrow.  I directed the young mother and daughter inside. Come to find out later, she lived in Sea Side Heights, lost everything, but she just lost her husband a few months before the hurricane. I broke down, it was getting tougher to hear all of these stories.

As I am taking a break from directing traffic, I am helping Mayor Amato, Kevin Askew, Jim and Tim from Public works Dept. and some others. A man pulls up in his vehicle, there are some things packed in it as well. I start to ask him what he needs and if all Is okay. He beings to tell me that his home, thank god nothing happened to it, but he only wants water because he has nowhere to put the ice.  I started to say, “Well sir you can put it in your refrigerator. He proceeds to tell me, “No mam I can’t, my home was fine, then the power got turned on and my house was destroyed by a fire.” You see, his was an older home, it had no surge protector. That was it, I lost it, I cried on Carmen Amato shoulder as he hugged me and he and the others told me to take a break. I politely through my tears said no, these people need us. I got back to doing what I was there to do, help others in any way I could.

Rashad Bowen..He came with ice delivery after two days of not unloading I asked him what he was going to do, and he said; I'm here for the long haul!  His truck is sitting with ice in it so it doesn't melt and guess what?? HE IS HELPING US OUT!! He said, “No, I will be here to help in any way I can” and he has been putting his butt to work as well.. Not only did he but Chris Clutter and his partner Jay AlBright from Energy First, they were stationed up by Six flags..they were helping to give out free ice and water as well!!  THANK YOU TO STRANGERS THAT HAS BECOME FRIENDS!!! :) So many AMAZING PEOPLE THAT WE MET A LONG THE WAY..Who not only lost their homes but stayed to help out those in need, rather than worry about themselves.

 

Day 5 Hurricane Sandy Stories:

Another story before I leave for the day...My new friend that I met Jeff Black and I notice two teenagers come walking up to the Rec. Building, we ask if they need help, we notice they are shaking, it's cold and windy. One is wearing a short sleeve shirt the other just a sweat shirt, they proceed to tell us they are cold and all they need is a coat. We ask them if they are okay, they said yes, they are okay but they are just cold. You can see in their eyes they are two that don't want to share their story and that is okay, but we did tell them if they need any more assistance to please let anyone of the volunteers know and we will direct them on what and where to go. Okay, one more story. Again, Jeff Black and I notice a teenager riding up on a bike, he said he needs some clothes for his family; they lost everything and is staying with a friend who has no power. They lost their car so his mom sent him on his bike, as he struggles to ride away with a bag full of supplies Jeff and I ask if he needs help, he politely says no thank you; And rides off. About two hours later he is back, trying again to handle what he can while riding to yet another black and cold place that he sees no end.

For them and others like him, we have no idea what they all must be feeling. We hear the stories and can be compassionate but unless you are in the situation we all can't even comprehend.

Okay, here is one last one. A car pulls up she is in tears, her daughter is on the passenger side, I ask again, what she needs she proceeds to tell me just ice and water, they were lucky they have their home just no electric, as she is crying uncontrollably, she says to me that she is sorry, she feels guilty but she just lost it, with all that is happening to her friends and town she can't handle it and yet there is nothing that she can do I gave her hug after hug as she kept saying thank you she again says she is sorry...Her name was Lisa; oh, by the way did I happen to mention Lisa is my friend, someone I met through the church her husband is a first aid worker yes, it even affects us, this is our life now, down here at the Jersey shore...For how long, We all don't know If you see someone walking, offer them a ride you now don't know their story If you see someone cold, offer them your coat...Jim a public worker did just that he took off his sweat shirt and gave it to someone for real...if you see someone sleeping in a car, offer them a blanket...DO SOMETHING SMALL INSTEAD OF NOTHING AT ALL...THAT LITTLE ACT OF KINDNESS WILL GO A LONG WAY..TRUST ME..

"Just had a woman and her daughter pull in to volunteer..Oh did I mention? THEY CAME FROM P.A...."

 

Day 6 Hurricane Sandy Stories:

A 23 yr. old mother came in today with her 18month old daughter..She was in tears..She just recently lost her husband, she fled with her daughter and just the clothes on her back..Tamara Luciano helped her with her daughter..She got her a coat, and then took her from the mother so that she can gather some stuff out..brought her outside for fresh air..Her mother was crying and so very thankful for everything..It's stories like that, even though we helped them, we can't stop thinking of them when they leave..What will happen to them now??? Another lady came in, already in tears..Again, I am doing the traffic asking them what they need...she is already crying, she lived in a basement apt. she has water damage, no electric and can't go back, we told her about the shelter...but she said she can't go there....where will she go? A family came in, I said, what do you need..they said..We used to live in Seaside, but not anymore..we lost everything...we need everything...Their 3 young children were seated in the back of the van..I directed them inside to help themselves and then told them about Central Regional high school..Last story..A man came in, he was from town..he lost his home..he was staying in his truck..he had his blankets and pillows in the back of the bed....we directed him to the shelter at the high school...Did he go? We don't know...A lady came in later in the afternoon..her daughter maybe around 4 seated in the front seat..they too were from Seaside..needed everything..the daughter had on a summer dress...Did I mention..it was freezing cold out there today..I had a winter coat and gloves on?? Okay..as I am directing traffice, I see two men walking by..younger mid 20's early

30's, I ask how did they make out, everything okay..They both said yes..then one man says..Yes, thank you..as he is tugging and pulling up on his new but used winter coat to show me and says..THIS IS FROM THERE..THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I said with tears in my eyes, you are both welcome!!!!

 

Day 6 Hurricane Sandy Stories..

I'm exhausted...I have to say..thank God..not many stories today..Just electric still out...a few people came in that lost some clothing..some need some food...but all and all I have to say..it was a good day..spirits are being lifted...some..not all..I also have to say I have been working with the best people ariund..council members, B.O.E. members, Township workers, Berkeley township Police, Mayor Amato, Truck Driver Rashad Bowen, Energy. First guys Chris Clutter and his partner..I was proud to be a part of something wonderful! OUR TOWNSHIP ROCKS!

Have you ever heard of having awesome blisters on your feet?? WELL LET ME BE THE FIRST..I HAVE THE MOST AWESOMEST BLISTERS EVER..AND PROUD OF THEM!!!!! :

 

Day 7..Volunteering Hurricane Sandy..

Thank God no sad stories today..we did have to bite the bullet and have some fund 6-7 days of this really gets to one's heart..had a great time with everyone..I know I made some new friends from here and far...People that came to deliver and stayed to help...The greatness of people this whole week was awesome..I will never forget the stories, the families that I have encountered through a horrific storm...Now coming up on Wed. Nov.7, 2012 a Nor'Easter is coming and mandatory evacuations were already ordered for the people that already lost everything..it's very sad..our hearts are with them all..

The whole time we were there we were also getting beeps of thanks you's, God bless you's, we are all doing a great job, they will never forget our kindness, but the most when asked what they want EVERY SINGLE person would tell us with a PLEASE AND THANK YOU AT THE END...In their time of grief and dispare, not one single person forgot to be polite. WOWOW..is all I have to say…WOWOW…

ALL VOLUNTEERS DID GREAT TODAY..SO PROUD TO WORK WITH ALL THESE AMAZING PEOPLE!

Again, I have to say how very proud all three of us parents are for CJ, Deven and Nickolas helping out friends, family and strangers in a time of need. It's times like this when all else doesn't matter and you focus on this great selflessness that they just did..Very proud MOM of three great boys!!! I love you all very much!!"

"I have to say, I am a proud residence of Berkeley township NJ, to see not only the residence, council members, B.O.E. members, school officials and kids alike come and pull together to help those in need, some even lost their homes and still came out to help..When people ask me where I live I will say it now with a BIG SMILE on my face and proud to say...BERKELEY TOWNSHIP NJ!!! Everyone did an awesome job today..Very proud to be in the presence of everyone, what a great bunch of people!!! Will be there again  tomorrow."

I have to say, I learned a lot in the 7 days volunteering after Hurricane Sandy. Anything can happen at any time, any day. You can’t take anyone for granted anymore, you can’t take what you have for granted anymore. Everything can be gone in a wink of an eye, especially your loved ones. The most essential of living become a commodity now after a disaster. Water, food, shelter, shower, hot water, clean clothes, even though some we need to maintain a life, others are the little things that to us aren’t so little anymore.

I thank God every day for saving us, my family my home and everyone I know and love. I will breath more easier now because we are all fine, but yet I will breath with  knowing some people still are not, but even though I am breathing, you will see a look on my face, that will be called reality……

I was so honored to work with Mayor Carmen Amato, Council President James Byrnes, Council Members John Bacchione (his wife Jennifer)  Kevin Askew (His wife Tarra) as well as B.O.E. memebers, Lou Tuminaro, Dave Ytreboe, Noriko, as well as Public work workers Jim, Tim and all the others...If I forgot your names I am sorry. there were so many people helping us, it was hard to remember everyone, but I will never forget what they did and their faces.

"Mandatory evacuation East of Bayview Ave..due to impending Nor'Easter coming...this is INSANE..these peoples homes are already gone.. SOOO SADD..."  NOT AGAIN...   :(

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?