BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer
HOWELL — Proving that Howell is a community in the best sense of the word, local residents and businesses have joined forced to help a neighbor in need.
Claudia Thomas, 54, is the single mother of two adult sons who are both physically handicapped due to a genetic disorder.
Thomas, who worked as the manager of a local food pantry, was injured shortly before Christmas while she was performing a good Samaritan act. Thomas was left paralyzed and permanently confined to a wheelchair.
Anna Ornstein, who is heading a continuing fund-raising effort on Thomas’ behalf, described the circumstances that have left Thomas a paraplegic.
According to Ornstein, Thomas, of Sixth Street, was on her way home in early December when she witnessed an automobile accident near the intersection of Route 9 and Georgia Tavern Road, about two blocks from her house. Thomas stopped to see if anyone who was involved in the accident needed help and as she was exiting her car she was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
She has spent the months since the accident in therapy at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.
Thomas is due to return home on May 13, according to Ornstein, who said that although she had not known Thomas prior to the accident, once she heard the story, “I knew I had to help her.”
Ornstein said a ramp to accommodate Thomas’ wheelchair has already been installed at her home and more renovations are scheduled to be completed that will enable her to maintain residence there. Volunteers who are Howell residents and business owners will be completing the renovations at the home.
Ornstein said about $50,000 worth of renovations have been completed, with about 75 percent of the work and supplies having been donated. She said additional donations are needed in order to offset the costs of the round-the-clock nursing care that Thomas will require in her first weeks or months back home.
Ornstein said the dedicated efforts of every person who has gotten involved to
help Thomas reinforces what she has always known about the inherent generosity of good people who rise to help others as they deal with trying times.
Ornstein and her husband, podiatrist Dr. Hal Ornstein, have been involved in many charitable and civic projects over the years.
Anyone who is interested in making a contribution in support of Thomas may send a check to Anna Ornstein, 5 Amanda Lane, Howell 07731.
Ornstein said the members of the Howell community, both business and private, that have already supported the efforts are: Team Home Depot, Shed U.S.A., Strober Lumber Company, Ferguson Bath Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, Clayton Concrete, Bedroom Gallery, Closet Tec, Howell First Aid Squad, Southard Fire Department, Freewood Acres Fire Department, Howell Water Treatment, Tracer Electric.
And, Eric Hughes Electric, Geese Police, Young Appliance, Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, Center State Mortgage, Ideal Chiropractic, Larry Johnson Architects, Bob Covino Builders, Ron Sanasac Builders, Jerry Marello Electric, Just Carpets, Remedy Home Services, Adam Matus Tile Installation, Larry Mann Heating and Cooling, Eatontown TV, Handyman Matters, Optimist Club of Howell, Howell Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Natural Gas, New Jersey Propane Company, JCP&L/FirstEnergy, Verizon.
Also, Crazy Joe’s Furniture, Mark Orsini Painting, Tri-County Plumbing, Heart of Portugal Restaurant, Thomasville Cabinets, HBHC Heating and Air, Walter Earle Corp. Asphalt, ETE Inc., BenchMark Countertops, Ken Larsen Lawn Care, Stancati Masonry, the Platzer family, Jemco Plumbing, the Fortinato family, the Kaplan family, Debbie Debella, Annmarie Depinto, the McLavish family, the Camme family, the Matus family, the Bonello family, the Johnson family, the Memmolo family, the Ornstein family, Oxford, Marpal Disposal, BSG Plumbing, Dan Tucker and Michele Gordon.