On Aug. 28 we experienced the havoc that Hurricane Irene brought on many towns in New Jersey. Quite a number of people had flooded basements, no electricity for days, loss of food in their refrigerator and freezer and no hot showers; street lights and traffic signals were out, roads were washed away, etc. It was amazing to see neighbors, friends, family and total strangers coming together to assist and support each other.
I’m so proud of Middletown and the response of our Office of Emergency Management who organized shelters, food distribution, assisted people with a massive array of problems and set up distribution centers for food, ice and other necessities. I had the opportunity to volunteer at an Office of Emergency Management center, and I was absolutely amazed at how well organized and prepared they were. They knew what they were doing every step of the way and thousands of people were helped at a most critical time!
Under the leadership of OEM Director Charles Rogers, an army of township employees, public officials and volunteers dug in and worked with incredible speed and efficiency to help so many who needed assistance.
I would like to give a special mention to Paulo and Jill, of Nature’s Harvest Farm Market in Belford, who delivered a truckload of produce to be distributed to Middletown’s residents. It truly was wonderful to be a part of such a well-organized effort to aid those who needed it.
It takes events like this to wake us up and realize what a truly wonderful town we live in.
Chantal Bouw Middletown