The Wilson 10-33 Foundation has initiated an effort to collect necessary items for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Needed items include non-perishable food, water, baby items, toiletries, medical supplies, batteries, blankets, flashlights and everyday necessities.
Drop-off locations are in the front parking lot of Hillsborough Fire Company No. 2 on Route 206, Hillsborough Rescue Squad at 48 East Mountain Road, Ultimate Tan at 424 Route 206, and Elizabeth Ave. Fire Company at 2 Wiley Drive in Franklin Township.
Any items, such as monetary donations, that you would wish to be mailed can be sent to: Wilson 10-33 Foundation, Inc., Attn: Operation Jersey Strong, PO Box 5848, Hillsborough, NJ 08844.
Direct questions to foundation director Barbara Dunn-Tomasco at 908-642-0011.
The foundation was organized to help local police officer David Wilson in his battle against leukemia, which unfortunately he lost in September 2009. It was his wish that the foundation continue to assist those in the Hillsborough emergency services community.
Warming center: The Hillsborough Municipal Building is open from 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. as a warming center.
Food drive: Richard Loniewski of Bodyshop Total Fitness is organizing a food drive for the local pantry. For donated items, Bobyshop Total Fitness will give free guest passes. The drive is taking place at the gym at 390 Route 206 until Nov. 21. Direct questions to 908-281-2500.
Water and meals: Distribution of water and ready-to-eat meals are available at the health department in the Hillsborough municipal complex between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Gasoline: Odd-even rationing has ended in the state.
Brush and debris: Rake leaves to the curb, but the leaves should be free of branches. If workers have to take time to pull them out, it slows the cleanup.
People can take debris, including large branches and cut-up downed trees, to the DPW yard on Auten Road. The facility is open from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. seven days a week until further notice for tree debris only. Do NOT bag your debris.
Halloween: Hillsborough’s trick or treating has been scheduled for 2-9 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, Nov.16, to coincide with in-school activities.
Library: The Somerset County Library System, with branches in Hillsborough and Manville, will not assess fines on borrowed materials that were or are due during the time period of Oct. 27 to Nov. 24.
”We’re open. We’re warm and we have been able to offer people the chance to recharge their mobile devices, particularly cell phones,” said spokesperson Lisa Bogart.
All 10 branches, including Hillsborough, of the county system, are collecting items for Shore communities impacted by the storms. Needed items include baby wipes, batteries, bottled water, disposable diapers and flashlights. Visit the SCLS website at www.sclsnj.org for information.
Hillsborough library hours are 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Manville library hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
YMCA: The Hillsborough and Somerville branches of the Somerset Valley YMCA welcome people who are still without power to take a shower, use the exercise equipment, charge phones and use the wireless Internet. The Hillsborough Y has a limited number of personal items that people can pick up, too.
Hours are 5 a.m.-9:45 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. –5:45 p.m. Sunday.
For information, contact program director Matt Gray at 908-369-0490, or ask at the member services desk.
Senior centers: All seven county senior centers are open and have lunch service for clients. Transportation services are available to all centers. See the schedule for the rest of the month in a story on page 7A.
The Hillsborough center is at 339 South Branch Road and Manville’s is in Fire Company No. 1 at 20 South Third Ave.
For information about county-operated senior centers, contact the Office on Aging and Disability Services, 27 Warren St., Somerville, at 908-704- 6346 or toll free 1-888-747-1122.
County parks: Duke Island Park in Bridgewater and Colonial Park in Somerset were opened Saturday. Sourland Mountain Preserve in Hillsborough and Montgomery, and Skillman Park in Montgomery are among county parks closed until further notice.
Residents are asked to not attempt to visit these facilities as fallen trees, power issues and residual damage make these facilities unsafe. Re-opening decisions will be made on a day-to-day basis.
Free weekly walks along a stretch of the Raritan River in Duke Island Park resumed Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.; meet at the Visitor’s Center. Coffee, tea, and treats will be provided. For information, call 908-722-1200, ext. 226.
Recycling: Pickups in Hillsborough and Millstone were made starting Tuesday, and should be on a normal schedule.
The Somerset County Recycling Center at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22, for Thanksgiving.
Tax payments: Hillsborough’s fourth-quarter tax payment grace period has been extended in the wake of the recent storm and payments are now due by the close of business on Wednesday, Nov. 21.
Red Cross: The Red Cross sent out a plea for the public’s help by giving blood or donations.
People can make a financial donation by visiting www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
The need for blood continues. The weather-related cancellation of blood drives has resulted in a loss of as many as 11,000 blood products. People who are eligible to donate are asked to schedule a blood donation now.
Inspections and auto licenses: Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agencies and inspection stations in Flemington and South Brunswick are open. Somerville will remain closed until further notice.
For information, including facility openings/closures, administrative orders and other MVC issues related to the impacts of the storm, visit www.njmvc.gov.
FEMA assistance: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Somerset County. Residents can visit to receive assistance regarding damage and losses from the hurricane.
FEMA’s assistance center is located at Somerset County Human Services at 27 Warren St., Somerville. It is open daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. until further notice.
Before going to a DRC, it is helpful to register with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Individuals may also register by smart phone at m.fema.gov.
DRCs are set up for residents to be able to speak one-on-one to recovery representatives, but it is not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance.
FEMA program specialists are at the centers, including mitigation specialists who provide information and answer questions about cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

