The Town Broker

Westfield Residents Offer Disaster Relief

I have to admit, I really didn’t expect last weekend’s nor’easter to be as bad as it was here in NJ. In fact, we threw a 50th Anniversary party for my folks in the middle of the storm! (Who knew we’d need to plan a rain date?!) Many of our friends and neighbors suffered terrific property damage due to the high winds and flooding. But as I walked around the yard gathering fallen branches, I started thinking about the people of Haiti and Chile. Now that’s a clean-up job!! I honestly can’t remember a time in my life when I’ve witnessed so many serious storms and natural disasters, all coming so close together.  All in all, we’re still pretty lucky.

Westfield Residents Continue Their Support in Haiti and Chile

One of the things that makes our communities so great, is the character and heart of our neighbors. When devastating earthquakes ravaged Haiti in January of this year, many local residents immediately stepped up to help.  But life marches on, and it’s easy for us to forget how many people still need our help all around the world…

With this in mind, members of The Presbyterian Church in Westfield are gathering items to make Hygiene Kits for Haiti and Chile. Items will be gathered locally, and with the assistance of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, will be distributed to victims of crisis and natural disasters in both Haiti and Chile.

Many of the needed items are things that we have buried in our linen closets. Or, if we travel for business, we get more of these items than we could use on every trip. Please consider making a donation of the essential items to help those less fortunate than ourselves around the world.

Over the course of the next four weeks, items will be collected according to the schedule below:

• March 21- Nail clippers (no metal files or emery boards please)
• March 28-Wide tooth combs and band aids
• April 4- Toothbrushes in original packages
• April 11-Washcloths and Hand Towels

Donations can be brought to the church each Sunday, and placed in one of the bins located in the narthex or Parish House. A collection box is also located in the mailroom for donations made during the week. If it would be easier for you, simply contact me and I’ll come by your house and pick up your donations.

At the end of the collection period, members of the church will assemble the kits and send them on their way.

The Presbyterian Church in Westfield is located at 140 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, NJ. 908-233-3424.

Tags: Chile, Disaster relief, Haiti, neighbors, Presbyterian Church, volunteers, Westfield

Great Neighbors Making a Difference

All of us have been touched in one way or another by the heartache and suffering in Haiti since the devastating series of earthquakes began on January 12th. And many around the world have been moved to take action. Last week, over 80 million TV viewers tuned in to the Hope For Haiti Now Telethon and raised nearly $60 million. But Hollywood isn’t the only place where people are coming out to help. Locally, we have a few stars of our own  who are making a difference where they can.

Westfield Residents Rise To Meet The Challenge.

Right here in Westfield, 3 enterprising high school students, Ryan Krasnoo, Billy Sickles and Ian Mackenzie quickly initiated the Hearts For Haiti campaign. Selling paper hearts for a dollar a piece to their friends in school and to neighbors around town, the trio quickly raised Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Haiti, neighbors, volunteers, Westfield