A good night’s sleep

Mattresses donated to needy family

By: Joseph Harvie
   Yelena Alter, of the Monmouth Mobile Home Park, will receive a Christmas gift this year that many people take for granted: beds for her family.
   Ms. Alter, who is disabled from an accident and unable to work, and her husband, Mitchell, now sleep on a thin mattress supported by milk crates, while her 9-year-old son Mitchell sleeps on two thin mattresses stacked up on each other.
   "We have two beds," Ms. Alter said. "It’s just the mattress and the other, the frame, is shaking a little. There is no box spring and very little stuffing."
   Ms. Alter lost her leg in November 2005 when a car struck her while she was walking along Route 1. She is still learning how to use a prosthetic leg and uses a wheelchair to get around much of the time. She has been unable to drive since the accident. In addition, her husband also is disabled and can’t drive, making getting around hard. Neither can work and the family depends on disability checks from the state.
   When LouAnne Wolf, township director of Social Services, found out about the Alters’ sleeping arrangements, she called Ashley Furniture on Route 1, just north of Blackhorse Lane. She said the company promised to donate and deliver two beds by Christmas, a full-sized bed for Michael and a king-size bed for Yelena and her husband.
   "We’re grateful for LouAnne," Ms. Alter said in her thick Russian accent. "She’s a blessed woman. Very thoughtful and very smart. She is giving and understanding."
   She said that all of the money that they have goes to pay rent for their trailer.
   But despite their hardships, Ms. Alter said she keeps a positive outlook on life.
   "We’re happy with everything we have," Ms. Alter said. "We have a roof. We have clothes. We’re a happy family and we’re happy to be here together."
   The township has also helped Ms. Alter by building a wheelchair ramp from her front door to the ground. Ms. Wolf said that Ms. Alter would not have been able to get out of the house if it wasn’t for the ramp.
   "She was basically stuck in her home," Ms. Wolf said.
   Through the Human Intervention Trust Fund, Ms. Wolf purchased the wood and supplies needed to build the ramp. Dave Olcott, of Monmouth Junction, built it for no charge, Ms. Wolf said.
   "When I got disabled it was hard for me get up and around," Ms. Alter said. "The township built me a porch to get me out of the trailer. It’s a big help. It’s just amazing what they do for me."
   In addition, Ms. Alter said that Ms. Wolf has occasionally stopped by to get her to the doctor or bring her to the supermarket.
   "If I don’t have a ride, she asks to give a ride," Ms. Alter said. "She says that she is glad to give me a ride. She knows my family and has gotten close with my family. She’s a very good woman."
   The Alters were also adopted through the township’s Holiday Program, and Ms. Alter said the presents she received were "amazing." She said she’s grateful for the gifts, but is most excited about was the food.
   "We got a gift card to Stop&Shop and food baskets," Ms. Alter said. "We are very happy for this."