Emily Johnson of Tuckerton Beach
To the editor:
As I drive home every day to Tuckerton Beach from the Roebling School in Florence, I am constantly reminded of what life is like for my fellow neighbors and friends post Superstorm Sandy. Many people are picking the pieces up and starting to find normalcy again. The obstacles that they face are far from the norm.
As a resident of Tuckerton Beach I feel thankful and truly blessed to have a home in tact, working utilities, and some form of normal balance restored as we begin the long process of rebuilding our restaurant downstairs.
What I know to be true for a lot of families in the area, especially on Long Beach Island, is they have to face many obstacles, closed schools, homes and businesses destroyed, and the long and arduous process of starting over again. The saying around the area is, “With unity we find strength; we will rebuild.”
When I heard about the closed schools on LBI, how they had to double up on class sizes at the only remaining school open in Surf City while sending children to other available schools in the surrounding area, and finally there was a need for supplies for the children; I wanted to find some way to help.
I knew that we as a community could help bring a little holiday hope to the children of LBI and their families.
Starting Dec. 3 I will be accepting donations of the following items:
— Classroom supplies such as books, puzzles, any educational resource toys or materials appropriate for grades K-6;
— Gift cards for families to such places as Target, Wal-Mart;
— Restaurant gift cards (there are a number of chain restaurants in the area);
— Gas Cards.
All donations can be brought to the main office of the Roebling School by Dec. 14. That day, I will drive down to Surf City and drop them off at the school.
I am also encouraging all classes in the building to write holiday letters of encouragement to the LBI children that I will also collect and bring down as well on the Dec. 14. It’s a positive and personal way for the children to reach out to another child going through a difficult time.
My sincerest thanks for taking the time to read this and I appreciate all of the support for this in advance.
Emily Johnson
Tuckerton Beach
The writer is a first grade teacher at Roebling Elementary School in Florence Township.

