Supporting those affected by Hurricane Sandy along the Jersey coastline - We start the process

Hurricane Sandy, or was it Super Storm Sandy, or was it a storm surge event, or was it just a heavy rain storm? Doesn't matter to the thousands that have lost their homes, lost their power and are literally homeless. How many were affected? I haven't been able to find accurate numbers. It doesn't really matter.

I know of organizations and churches from Lancaster County traveling to the Jersey shore for weeks now, mostly on the weekends, to lend a hand. These are the Weekend Warriors. Working a regular job during the week and volunteering their time over the weekend.

They're not debating what caused the storm, they're not debating the environmental impacts of building along the coast line. They see people who are hungry, cold and homeless and they are filling a need. Most are sharing the love of Christ during the process.

On Sunday, 12/16/12, a group of us from the Gap area meet with Lindsay Donald and her brother, Stephen Donald to discuss the need as they see it. They are the organizers of NJ Strong, a non-profit organization formed as a result of Sandy. 

They now have 57 homes cleaned out and with each weekend they clean out more. They have been coordinating the volunteers that come from several states to help the most needy ever since the storm hit the region.

They are also seeking funds to assist the home owners that are not being reimbursed for the damage to their homes.

The next phase will be to start rebuilding these homes. That is what Sunday's meeting is all about...to start the planning process.

Questions, which homes are repairable, and which should be torn down and completely rebuilt.....what material is needed.....who is available to help.....where is the money coming from....

We're pulling together people from the Gap, PA region to help support NJ Strong in their efforts. Thus the reason for the name "In the Gap for Shore".

This will be a long process to get everyone along the coast settled again. Thousands of volunteers have already joined in the effort all up and down the coastline. Our effort is just a drop in the bucket, but it is what we can be do.

Two were walking along the shoreline where there were thousands of starfish lying on the sand, dying. The one picked up a starfish and threw it back into the water. His friend responded, "There are so many on the beach, why bother, it won't make a difference". The response? "It made a difference to the one I just threw back in..."

More information to come as this effort unfolds.

In The Gap for Shore
Dale Groff
email - inthegapforshore@gmail.com