Residents, businesses workto help support relief efforts

In the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, local businesses, organizations and individuals have demonstrated extraordinary patriotism by lending their support to the rescue efforts in whatever way they could.

By:Alec Moore
   Catered Affair deli in Hillsborough, owned by Pete and Karen Bloom, collected donated food, water and a bounty of goods vital to the rescue efforts taking place at ground zero.
   Mr. Bloom credits deli employee Bob Knoke for coming up with the idea for bringing the goods to the aid of the rescue workers.
   "Bob just said he wanted to do something to help," said Mr. Bloom, who then began putting out word that Catered Affair would be transporting donated goods for the rescue efforts into New York City on Friday night and again on Sunday.
   In addition to the food, including several 3-foot long submarine sandwiches courtesy of Catered Affair, residents donated anything and everything that ground zero rescue workers were in need of including flashlights, socks, medical supplies, filter masks, goggles, rakes and shovels just to name some of the goods donated by local residents.
   "Everyone has been so wonderful," said Ms. Bloom in response to the overwhelming showing of support the collection drive received. Mr. Bloom agreed, pointing out that he saw mixed emotions from those donating goods, "everything from tears to being ecstatic," he said.
   Joanne Smythe of Hillsborough was among the many local residents who donated to the Catered Affairs relief effort.
   "It’s the least I could do," she said after dropping off a bag of groceries. Hillsborough resident Joanne Power expressed similar sentiments.
   "At least this way you feel like you’re doing something," Ms. Power said as she dropped off a large case of bottled water for rescue workers.
   Just a few stores down from Catered Affair, Culinary Creations owner Andrew Pantano was also helping the rescue efforts. Culinary Creations accepted donations to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund and Mr. Pantano added that he would match the amount donated, dollar for dollar.
   "Anything we can do to help is worth it," Mr. Pantano said.
   In addition to collecting for the American Red Cross, Mr. Pantano and members of his staff assisted with the donation of six large canopy tents from Celebration Party Rentals in Flemington — an affiliate of Culinary Creations. The tents were used as temporary cover for the rescue workers and as supply tents.
   The tents were pitched at the site of the disaster Friday night. Mr. Pantano and some of his crew were prepared to pitch additional tents Monday night, until the city stopped accepting any further amounts of donated goods.