MARLBORO – In the days after Hurricane Harvey struck Texas on Aug. 25, twin brother and sister Jared and Hallie Mandelbaum, 16, of Marlboro, launched a “Twins for Texas” effort to support residents of the Lone Star State whose lives had been impacted by the storm.
Hallie and Jared, who are juniors at Marlboro High School, held a clothing drive and spread the word through social media. They asked anyone who could make a donation to drop clothes at their home.
The twins’ parents, Joel and Randee, later arranged transportation for all of the donations that were received. The donations included clothes, hats, belts, ties, shoes, stuffed animals, handbags and linens.
“We had some friends help us and we used a human chain to get the donations from the garage onto the truck,” Jared said. “It was exhausting because the bags of donations never seemed to end, but it was fun and most of all it was rewarding.”
The family members remembered their experience with superstorm Sandy in 2012.
“When Sandy hit the Jersey Shore, we were luckier than most,” Joel Mandelbaum said. “But less than 10 miles east of us, people were not as fortunate. Hallie and Jared, who were 11 at the time, saw the destruction with their own eyes.”
“We lived in our house with no lights, television, heat or air conditioning for several days,” Hallie said. “We were safe and made the best of the situation. We used our barbecue to cook food as it defrosted.
“We were able to cook because our stove is gas and we used the car to charge our cell phones and listen to the radio to hear about the devastation. When the power went back on, we were able to see all of the damage and all of the families who were forced to evacuate their houses and live in shelters,” she said.
The Mandelbaums helped others by collecting donations for a shelter in Keyport. They gathered clothes and shoes, and bought diapers and other items for babies, and bottled water to help those whose lives had been impacted.
“The thought of families living in schools and sleeping on cots upset us,” Hallie said. “We felt so bad for them, thinking they couldn’t even snuggle up on their couch or make tents with their blankets on their parents’ big beds.”
When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in late August, the family was reminded of what had happened during Sandy.
“We were glued to the television,” Jared said. “Seeing homes filled up with water and cars and bicycles under water made us feel helpless here in Marlboro. That is when we decided to help.”
“As a parent, one of the important things to teach your children is that they are fortunate to have what they have. Perhaps it is more difficult for teenagers to grasp than it is for a parent to convey,” Mandelbaum said.
“The pictures (on TV) told a thousand words and we decided to try to help in some way, shape or form. I am proud that my kids’ efforts helped people they don’t even know. It shows great character,” he said.
Jared said he spent time during the summer sailing and scuba diving in the British Virgin Islands and now wants to help people whose lives were affected by Hurricane Irma, along with the ActionQuest program.
ActionQuest, which is based in Sarasota, Fla., offers water sports and activities to teens. The program is hosting some service components in the British Virgin Islands.
