Red Cross Provides Disaster Relief to Those Affected by the Winter Wallop

TINTON FALLS, NJ, December 27, 2010 – After the blizzard unleashed its fury on the entire northeast, the Jersey Coast Regional Chapter of the American Red Cross has been providing disaster relief to individuals and families throughout Monmouth & Ocean Counties. Disaster volunteers and Jersey Coast Regional staff have been working together around the clock at chapter headquarters in Tinton Falls to ensure that everyone’s immediate disaster needs are being met. We have heard about the storm and its current repercussions – but what is happening to those who need help due to the extreme weather and conditions that this storm has brought? Over the past 24 hours the Jersey Coast Regional Chapter staff and a number of disaster volunteers have: served 300 meals, sheltered 150 people to have a warm place to stay, food to eat, a cot and a blanket to sleep with and caring relief and compassionate assistance.

Throughout Monmouth County many drivers have been stranded on the road and many residents are without power. As of this evening, the Jersey Coast Regional Chapter is supporting 5 shelters.

• Co-supporting a shelter with the AMC Theatre Group at the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown.
• Red Cross shelter with the Monmouth Beach municipal O.E.M. at the Monmouth Beach Municipal Center.
• Co-supporting the Ocean Township Community Center.
• Warming center at chapter headquarters in Tinton Falls.
• Provided food and comfort kits to the South Wall Township Firehouse food and snacks comfort kits

“We have been providing food, cots, blankets and comfort kits and supplies (hygiene items like toothbrush, toothpaste and soap), coffee and/or snacks and Red Cross staffing to each location based on the need and number of individuals within each shelter,” said Melissa DeGennaro spokeswoman for the Jersey Coast Chapter.

All disaster response is free to the American public due to the generous contributions of people such as you. We are accepting donations and pledges to help make a difference to our local community and support them in their time of need. Please help us so we can continue to support your neighbors. Call 732.493.9100 or visit http://www.jerseycoast-redcross.org/ to donate to the Jersey Coast Chapter disaster relief fund.