Community Corner

Volunteers Assisting With Clean-Up

Resident Tom Portelli: 'For these people to come in and do what they've been doing is absolutely incredible.'

They’ve cut up floor panels, removed water-soaked dry wall, and ripped up floorboards. They’ve work tirelessly for days, going door to door asking people if they need help.

The volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse have come from North Carolina, Illinois, and Florida to assist Wayne residents clean out their houses in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and the subsequent flooding.

“The situation is so much greater this year because of the heavy rain,” Tom Portelli, a 27-year resident of Lillian Court said on Thursday. “We’ve never had water in the first floor and for these people to come in and do what they’ve been doing is absolutely incredible.”

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Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian relief organization that provides aid to victims of natural disasters, wars, and disease.

Volunteers have worked on more than a dozen houses since arriving earlier this month. The group has received 50 requests for aid from local residents for aid. The group has a large trailer of equipment based at Calvary Temple International Assembly on Preakness Avenue. The group is not rebuilding houses, just assisting in clean up efforts.

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“At first, there’s a lot of disbelief when we go into a home, people don’t quite believe us at first, but over time they realize that we’re sincere,” said Lloyd Blackwell, program manager for the area. “It’s so gratifying to see happiness on their faces when we work.”

Anthony Giannini, Portelli’s neighbor, is one of those people.

“It’s unbelievable the amount of work these people have done. They haven’t stopped all day,” Giannini said. “I can’t believe they do what they do.”

Volunteers work with smiles on their faces.

“It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of fun, but it’s all about Jesus,” Jackie Kuehm, a volunteer from Indiana, said as she wiped sweat from her brow. “This is something he wants done.”

For more information, or to volunteer, call 973-694-1630.


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