FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, the ministry of SRB Help Center established in the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine decided to extend its services to another state.
SRB Help Center was formed in 2012 in response to superstorm Sandy, according to a press release. The ministry continues to provide for the immediate needs of families who are in need with items that are donated by community residents, according to the press release.
On Sept. 12, the SRB Help Center started collecting donated items at the Freehold Township Independent Fire Company No. 1 firehouse on Siloam Road.
Coordinated by the leadership team of Monsignor Sam Sirianni, Pam Stengel, Linda Altini, Roseann Duffy, Ron Duffy and John Toutounchi, all of the donated items were checked in, boxed and stored in the bays of the firehouse. The space was provided by the fire commissioners of Freehold Township Fire District 1, according to the press release.
The collection ran from Sept. 12-21. All of the packing, sorting and inventory work would not have been possible without volunteers from the community who took time out of their schedules to help, organizers of the effort said.
Parishes, congregations, schools, organizations and residents came together to roll out the project and make it a success. The boxes were placed on pallets, transported and secured with the help of local businesses that donated materials and time to ensure costs were limited and the products would arrive safely and organized in Texas, according to the press release.
The following businesses contributed to the effort: Breaker Electric of Jackson; Crane Worldwide Logistics of Houston; Wegmans Produce Department of Manalapan; All-American Ford of Old Bridge; Lowy’s Moving Service of Neptune City; and Home Depot of Howell.
On Sept. 22, following a breakfast donated by The Bagel Nook of Freehold Township, the loading started of the 53-foot-long truck driven by James Nokes. Within two hours the truck was packed and ready for departure, according to the press release.
SRB Help Center is now focused on the victims of Hurricane Irma. The organization has networked with a freight company to secure a trailer and transport to Florida.
Donations may be dropped off at the Freehold Township Independent Fire Company, 30 Siloam Road (Route 527), Freehold Township, on Oct. 9-12 from 7-9 a.m. and from 6-8 p.m; Oct. 13 from 7-11 a.m.; and Oct. 14-15 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Items needed include Shockwave mold killer, rubber gloves, buckets, mops, brooms, sponges, paper towels, toilet paper, mosquito repellant, shovels, trash bags (heavy duty/contractor), toiletries (any size), dry baby formula, baby and adult diapers and first aid items.
The SRB Help Center is planning a charity community yard sale to benefit survivors of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the survivors of recent earthquakes in Mexico.
For more information, visit Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine on Facebook or www.strobert.cc
