By Kashia Simmons
PERTH AMBOY, N.J. – Volunteers from a local charity are set to hit the streets here Saturday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to raise awareness about fire hazards, and talk with area residents about fire prevention tips.
It’s the second year a group from HOPE worldwide Central Jersey Chapter has teamed with the Perth Amboy Fire Department to hand out fire prevention information from the American Red Cross. It comes less than a month after a devastating fire displaced more than 100 South Amboy residents.
“We’ve doubled our goal from last year to reach the residents of 2400 homes. And we’re not just sticking flyers in door handles; we want to talk to people. We want to get folks to slow down for a minute and consider whether their homes are safe,” said Keith Baldwin, HOPE worldwide CJC co-organizer for the MLK Day of Service event.
Keith and his wife Kelly are themselves survivors of a house fire that cost them their home in 2003 and now as a family they volunteer to organize this event each year for HOPE worldwide CJC. “We may never know how successful our efforts were on Saturday, but if our conversation with one person reminds them to turn off that space heater before they leave or replace the batteries in their smoke alarms, it will have been well worth it,” Kelly said. The close of 2010 saw some 233 fires reported, including 50 building fires, said Chief David J. Volk, Perth Amboy Fire Department, an increase of seven over the number building fires reported in 2009.
Since the official launch of HOPE worldwide CJC in January 2010, the charity has sponsored 16 volunteer events, including domestic and international efforts. Projects have met needs of various populations including the homeless, hungry, sick, elderly and orphans.
The group will meet Saturday at the Perth Amboy Fire Department at 9 a.m. and canvass the area until noon. “It has been an exciting year, and it is entirely due to the love of Christ expressing itself through the devotion of a relatively small group of people who are committed to coming together to serve the needs of others. I am really excited about the opportunity we have here with this project to potentially save lives.” said Horacio Piccininno, director, HOPE worldwide CJC.
HOPE worldwide Central Jersey Chapter is an affiliate of the faith-based international charity HOPE worldwide. The charities activities are open to all, but are planned and supported by members of the Central Jersey Church of Christ.

