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American Red Cross Response to Hurricane Irene in New Jersey
The American Red Cross conducted a massive response and sheltering effort in New Jersey beginning Friday, August 26, 2011, as evacuations along the coastline began prior to landfall and sheltering needs continued during and after the storm as floodwaters inundated communities throughout the state. At the height of the storm, the Red Cross had 66 shelters open, or on standby to open, in New Jersey. The Red Cross operated shelters and hundreds of trained Red Cross workers and dozens of response vehicles fanned out in affected communities to serve meals and distribute relief supplies.
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Many cities around New Jersey, such as this neighborhood in Fairfield, remained flooded nearly a week after Hurricane Irene.
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The Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support as Red Cross workers help those in affected areas with the recovery process.
Beginning August 26th through September 18th, the Red Cross in New Jersey has:
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Provided more than 19,680 overnight stays.
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Served more than 300,900 meals and snacks.
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Provided more than 5,100 health services consultations and more than 4,675 mental health contacts.
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Mobilized more than 740 workers to help New Jersey residents in need.
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Distributed approximately 18,200 clean up kits and 4,500 comfort kits.
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Provided more than 45,450 relief items such as hygiene kits, mops, brooms, tarps, work gloves,
shovels, rakes and trash bags.
The Red Cross must be ready to respond, simply because we are the organization that answers the call every time the alarm sounds. Thanks to support from the American public, we will be able to meet the challenges ahead, together.
Sheltering and Community Outreach |
Photo: Garrett Gianneschi/American Red Cross – August 31, 2011
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Meet Baby Alan – New Jersey’s Youngest
Red Cross Shelter Resident
Hurricane Irene’s rains brought flooding which forced the Velasco family; Benjamin, an expectant Gilberta and their two-year-old son William, from their Bound Brook home. The family sought shelter with the American Red Cross at the Raritan Valley Community College and waited patiently to see how much damage the rising flood waters might cause. But baby Alan would not wait and was born two days later. Now it was time for him to join his new family at the shelter.
Red Cross volunteers were excited to greet the newest resident and wanted to do everything possible to make this day special for the family. A separate area of the shelter was arranged for the family and included balloons and toys for new big brother William to play with.
"Even though times have been rough for us, we are so happy with the care and love the Red Cross volunteers have shown us, especially with our new baby," said Benjamin Velasco.
Many New Jersey families have been affected by this storm and the experience can be difficult.
The Red Cross was with them, providing shelter, meals and emotional support. And when the waters receded and it was safe for families to return to their homes, the Red Cross was still alongside them, delivering meals and snacks, and distributing clean-up kits and supplies in affected neighborhoods. |
Tim Beatty and daughter Julia (age 6) receive lunch on Saturday afternoon from Red Cross volunteer Pam Powell of Kokomo, IN, as she rides around to areas hit hard by recent flooding in a Red Cross Emerengcy Response Vehicle (ERV) in Manville. Julia smiles after Powell hands her additional snacks and a Mickey Mouse plush toy (donated by Disney to the American Red Cross for disaster relief). Red Cross mobile feeding and bulk distribution of supplies continued in many of the affected areas throughout the state of New Jersey on Saturday.
Photo: September 10, 2011
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Red Cross Volunteer Thomas Johnston of Rockledge, FL speaks with sisters Elaine Solarek and Sharon Solarek, both of Manville, while neighbor Melissa Nunoz, with daughter Makeyla (age 5 months), waits for her lunch from Red Cross volunteers providing mobile feeding throughout areas in Manville, NJ hit hard by recent flooding. Red Cross mobile feeding and bulk distribution of supplies continued in many of the affected areas throughout the state on Saturday.
Photo: September 10, 2011 |
Christal Liebenthal serves lunch to Eliana Aerts of Monroe Township, NJ on September 5, 2011.
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Red Cross shelter manager Sue Vineyard gets a giggle from Angel Munoz (age 1) as he relaxes with family members Gaspar Rendon, Rasalba Castillo and Alison Rendon (age 2) at the Red Cross shelter in Bound Brook, NJ.
Photo: August 29, 2011
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Red Cross volunteers James Fowler of Atlanta, GA and Courtney Miskell of Auburn, NY, hand Red Cross cleaning supplies to Manville resident Denise Polak. Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) were also out delivering meals to Manville residents hit hard by recent flooding now back in their homes cleaning up on Saturday afternoon. Red Cross mobile feeding and bulk distribution of supplies continued in many of the affected areas throughout the state on Saturday.
Photo: September 10, 2011
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Manville resident Melissa Nunoz receives lunch from Red Cross volunteers providing mobile feeding throughout areas in Manville, NJ hit hard by recent flooding. Nunoz had just returned from work and was heading home to continue cleaning her flooded home. Daugher Makeyla (5-months-old) is patiently waiting for mom when Red Cross volunteers provide her with a Mickey Mouse plush toy (donated by Disney to the American Red Cross for disaster relief). Red Cross mobile feeding and bulk distribution of supplies continued in many of the affected areas throughout the state of New Jersey on Saturday.
Photo: September 10, 2011
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Red Cross volunteer Donna Stowe provides snacks and water to Tim Mason outside his Manville, NJ home. Tim is no stranger to flooding and this time Hurricane Irene brought more than 5 feet of flood water into the main level of his home. Tim is also no stranger to the Red Cross being there, providing meals, snacks and supplies while Manville families are cleaning up the damage. “The Red Cross is an amazing, caring, and compassionate organization,” said Mason. “Thank you - we can always count on the Red Cross time and time again!”
Photo: September 3, 2011
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Animals Help Provide Comfort
Red Cross volunteer Annette Smith soaks up some pet therapy for herself. Therapy dog Willow on the job at the Red Cross shelter in Raritan Valley Community College. Willow is owned and trained by Alice Crans, an American Red Cross volunteer in New Jersey.
Photo: Ben Hurwitz/American Red Cross – September 10, 2011
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Sebastian Wisniowiecki (age 14) steps outside his home in Manville, NJ to pick up lunches for his family. Sebastian and mom Anita took a break from cleaning to enjoy a meal provided by Red Cross volunteer Pam Powell of Kokomo, IN, as she rides around to areas hit hard by recent flooding in a Red Cross Emerengcy Response Vehicle (ERV).
Anita Wisniowiecki expressed how difficult the past few days have been, petrified that the rains from remnants of tropical storm Lee may bring additional flooding to her town after being flooded by Hurricane Irene. The Wisniowiecki's had 3 feet of water in their home but had moved many of their valuables up to higher levels. The repair and cleanup is hard work, but she considers her family lucky. "It's heartbreaking to see the extreme damage my neighbors down a few blocks have received -- not once, but twice," said Anita.
They are doing what they can to help their neighbors, like so many in New Jersey, and she's grateful the Red Cross is there too. "The Red Cross Clean-up Kits and supplies are great -- very helpful," she said, adding, "And the Red Cross volunteers are outstanding people with big hearts."
Photo: September 10, 2011 |
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Community Members Offer Support |
Church & Dwight Employee Giving Fund
October 13, 2011 – Church & Dwight Employee Giving Fund Chairman Andrew C. Forsell (center) presents a check to American Red Cross of Central New Jersey CEO Carol Chang (left) and Chief Development Officer Barbara Latady at the Red Cross chapter in Princeton. The $25,000 donation will benefit American Red Cross Disaster Relief and represents donations by Church & Dwight employees along with a matching gift from the company.
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Silver Line Building Products
September 21, 2011 – John Keller, vice president of customer experience with
Silver Line Building Products, an Andersen Company, presents a $50,000 check to
Marguerite Mount, chairman of the board with the American Red Cross of Central
New Jersey, at the Red Cross offices in Princeton.
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RVCC Student Life Brightens Shelter Life
The Department of Student Life at Raritan Valley Community College helped Hurricane Irene relief efforts by entertaining those displaced by the storm who became residents of the Red Cross shelter in the college's gymnasium/athletic center.
“When we walked around the hallway there were blank faces and some far away looks – it was evident these families had been through an ordeal,” said Barbara Cannell, president of the Student Government Association. “I'm just so thankful to help out.”
Student Life handed out stuffed animals, presented live music by college students, and had a student in a lion suit entertaining children. Other events included a laser show at the planetarium and a visit from Therapy Animals.
“We focused on the kids to make them happy and give their parents a break,” said Alaysha M. Walker, Student Life Officer Coordinator.
The impromptu events were all pulled together quickly.
“We see that there are people staying in our gym and we put everything on the back burner. We put some of our work on hold to help these people out,” said Walker.
Garrett Gianneschi
Volunteer, American Red Cross of Central New Jersey |
Somerset Patriots and NJ101.5 Radio
Dan Specht and members of the NJ 101.5 Jersey Prize Team welcome Executive Director Amy Sutton and volunteer Katja Higazi of the Greater Somerset County Chapter of the Red Cross.
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Members of the NJ 101.5 Jersey Prize Team auctioned great prized to help raise funds for charity.
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| In response to the flooding and aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the Somerset Patriots hosted Hurricane Relief Night at TD Bank Ballpark on Saturday, September 3rd. All fans received complimentary tickets to the game to enjoy a night out with family and friends..
“This is our opportunity to bring some joy back to those affected by the hurricane and flooding in the area. We are fortunate to be able to provide this service to those that are still dealing with the aftermath of the storm. Our hearts go out to all those still trying to get their lives back to normal during this time,” said Steve Kalafer, Chairman of the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club.
NJ 101.5 Radio promoted the event, encouraging their audience to help support American Red Cross Disaster Relief and invited the Red Cross to join the NJ 101.5 Prize Team at the entrance prior to the game to accepted financial donations. NJ 101.5 Radio invited the Red Cross to join them prior to the following game on Monday, September 5th and the Prize Team auctioned great prizes to help raise funds for the American Red Cross and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
The Red Cross is grateful to the Somerset Patriots, NJ 101.5 Radio and all of the baseball fans who donated generously to help their neighbors. |
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In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, dozens of blood drives and thousands of blood donation appointments had to be cancelled. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) takes time on August 30, 2011 to give blood at the American Red Cross Blood Center in Princeton and speaks with Theresa Thomas of the American Red Cross about the need for blood donations and how he will be encouraging others to donate blood.
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After donating blood, Rep. Holt stops in next door at the Disaster Operation Center to visit with the volunteers working on relief efforts.
Pictured here, Mike Prasad, regional manager, Emergency Services, explains the various aspects of the disaster operation taking place in Central New Jersey to Rep. Holt.
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Hyatt Thanks Red Cross Volunteers |
| The Hyatt Regency Princeton held a reception to thank Red Cross volunteers,
both local volunteers and those who came from other parts of the country,
for their work around the clock to assist New Jersey families affected by
Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. |
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Activity at the Disaster Operation Center in Princeton |
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