HOWELL— While the holiday season is a time for joy and merriment, for those individuals who have experienced loss or a life-altering event, the holidays can be the toughest time of the year.
That was certainly the case for five families in the Moors Landing development off Strickland Road, Howell, whose homes were destroyed in the rain and floods of Hurricane Irene in August.
Members of the Western Monmouth County Newcomers Club wanted to help brighten the holiday season for those families and purchased a variety of items that had been requested by the residents.
The club members presented the gifts to representatives of Moors Landing and resident Sindy Sanborn, whose home was one of the most severely damaged in the floods that followed Irene.
Sanborn, who was accompanied at the presentation by her children, Tiffany, 15, and Tyler, 10, said she was thankful for the compassion shown to her by the Western Monmouth County Newcomers Club.
“I was taken aback,” Sanborn said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that a tragedy can bring a lot of happiness, as silly as that may sound. It shows there are still a lot of wonderful people out there.”
She said before Irene struck her home and changed her family’s life, she had always been on the other side of the charitable equation.
“The biggest thing is that you think you are never going to be the one who is receiving (charity),” Sanborn said. “Probably the biggest thing I learned out of all of this is that it is OK to receive.”
Flood waters destroyed the first floor of Sanborn’s home in Moors Landing and her family has been renting another residence as repairs continue on their home.
She said they are hoping to return to their home in mid-January. Federal grants have helped to pay for the repairs.
Sanborn said she had been working with Howell officials in an attempt to have her home purchased through the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Blue Acres program, but said she was recently informed the home purchase would not take place.
Howell Township Manager Helene Schlegel confirmed that the federal government would not approve the purchase of the damaged Moors Landing homes because they are not in a flood zone.
“The township will again be reaching out to our federal representatives for a better explanation,” Schlegel said.
Sandy Levin, president of the Western Monmouth County Newcomers Club, said the group selects a local cause every year and embraces philanthropy.
“I just feel it’s important as an American citizen to give back to people in need, especially locally,” she said. “We all live in Monmouth County and we all feel for (the residents of Moors Landing). It was very close to home and we wanted to put our efforts toward helping them.”
Club member Anita Castillonese expressed sympathy for the residents whose homes were severely damaged.
“They didn’t do anything but pick a place to live and their houses and dreams were destroyed,” Castillonese said. “Things will come back, but you will always remember. We are a small organization, but we do try to help in a big way.”
The group is also raising funds for Camp Quality, an organization that provides yearround support and programming for children with cancer and their families.
Apart from charitable causes, the group participates in many social programs.
Monica Hildner started the Western Monmouth County Newcomers Club in 1969 after she found it difficult to meet people with common interests upon moving to the area.
Hildner put an advertisement in a newspaper seeking other individuals who were also new to western Monmouth County. About 30 people responded and the club was formed.
The group meets on the third Thursday in September, November, January, March andMay at the First Presbyterian Church in Englishtown. New members are welcome to join. For more information, visit the website at www.monmouthnewcomers.org.