Wayne VOAD Flood Recovery Bulletin September 14, 2011

Hi Everyone,  Please read the new update from Rev. Karyn Ratcliffe.

Residents who have been impacted by Hurricane Irene and the recent floods are encouraged to take advantage of the volunteer services being coordinated by the Wayne VOAD. Note that the Hot Meals Operation will come to an end on Friday, September 16, and the Civic Center Operation will come to an end on Sunday, September 18. If you are in need of cleaning supplies, non-perishable food and health care items, or other assistance, please contact Regina Parks at the Wayne Township Welfare Department, 973-694-1800, X3281 to determine if there are any other services that you may be eligible for.

Hot Meals: On Wednesday, September 14, hot meals will be served to flood-affected families at the PAL Building, 1 PAL Drive, 6-8pm. Sit-down seating and take-out containers will be available. Hot meals will be delivered by volunteers directly into flood-affected neighborhoods as well as to Ryerson Elementary School, 30 McClelland Avenue. Hot meals will be served every night through Friday, September 16.

Donations of fresh food can be delivered to the PAL Building between the hours of 4pm and 6pm. We also need corrugated cardboard boxes the size of a case of computer paper or a little larger for packing up the meals. Volunteers are needed to help pack the food in take-home containers and to deliver the food. If you would like to help with this effort, please go to the PAL Building at 4:00pm. (Drivers are needed at 5:00pm.) Please monitor the Wayne VOAD Facebook page for spontaneous requests being made throughout the day.

 Toys: Wayne residents who have been affected by the flood are invited to bring their children to the Civic Center on Saturday, September 17, between the hours of 10am and 4pm so that they can choose a toy for themselves. Toys are being donated by Toys-R-Us and The Learning Center. Identification needs to be shown at the door. Volunteers are also needed that day to provide assistance and supervision.

Donations of new or gently-used toys and games for children of all ages are now being accepted at the Civic Center. These items will be provided to flood-affected families.

PLEASE:

We cannot accept stuffed animals due to hygienic concerns.

Check games to make sure that all pieces are included.

If batteries are required, please include them.

Supplies: The Wayne Civic Center at 1006 Hamburg Turnpike (across from Church Lane) continues to serve as a central distribution point for cleaning supplies, canned goods, health care items, bottled water and other supplies. Donations can be dropped off between the hours of 10am and 6pm. (Note that our hours have changed since last week.) Wayne residents-in-need may pick up items. Volunteers are needed to man the Civic Center during its hours of operation. Items can also be dropped off at Gary’s Wine and Marketplace on Rt. 23 North.

Items most needed: all cleaning supplies (including mops, bleach, sponges, gloves, face masks and garbage bags), paper towels, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, mosquito repellent, anti-itch cream, new socks, new underwear, healthy snacks, juice boxes and canned fruit. School supplies are no longer needed.

Volunteers: Volunteers are needed at the Civic Center to man the building as donations are being delivered and supplies are being picked up. Please also monitor the Wayne VOAD Facebook page for spontaneous ways in which you can help.

FEMA Assistance: Residents are urged to register with FEMA for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by going to www.disasterassistance.gov or www.fema.gov. Please have the following available: SSN#, private insurance info (if available), address and zip code of the damaged property, directions to the damaged property, and a daytime telephone number.

Wayne residents may use the computers at William Paterson University’s main library on Saturday (9am - 5pm) and Sunday (12noon - 5pm). Residents need to enter at Gate 4, park and go to the Reference Desk. They must show a photo ID and will be given a Password. They can use any available computer. No volunteers will be present so they must already be advised before arriving to go to www.disasterassistance.gov in order to register.

Computer stations at the main branch of the Wayne Library are being set aside for residents to register on-line with FEMA. Assistance will be available on the second floor in the computer lab during the following hours:

Monday – Thursday, 4-8pm

Friday, 12-5pm

Saturday, 12-5pm

Sunday, 1-5pm

Volunteers are needed to help residents with the process of registration. If you know how to use the internet and can show residents how to reach a specific web site, you have the skills we need. To volunteer, contact Michael Gottesman at NJAttorney@optonline.net.

Showers: The following facilities are open to families affected by the floods:

Spa 23 Health and Racquet Club has opened its facility to flood-affected families during the entire month of September. Spa 23 is located at 381 Route 23 South, 973-839-8823.

The YM-YWHA, 1 Pike Drive, is offering their showers to anyone who does not have hot water in their homes. Adults and minors (under 18) accompanied by adults are asked to show photo ID and can come during the following hours

Monday, 8am - 2pm

Tuesday, 5:30am - 9pm

Saturday and Sunday: 7am - 6pm

Financial donations: Gift cards in small denominations and checks can be dropped off at either town hall or at The Packanack Community Church, 120 Lake Drive East during office hours (Monday through Thursday, 9am – 2pm). Checks should be made payable to “The Wayne Interfaith Network” with “Flood Relief” in the memo area. All donations will be used to help the residents of Wayne.

Clothing Needs: Clothing is available to persons-in-need at Ryerson School. Please contact the school at 973-633-3180 to determine hours of availability.

Clothing Donations: Clothing donations are not being accepted by Wayne VOAD, as we do not have the ability to sort and warehouse them. Other township organizations that have been accepting clothing in recent days are currently full. Please do not drop off any clothing at the Civic Center. Clothing left at the Civic Center or other locations around town will be donated to local organizations at the discretion of the Wayne VOAD.

Furniture and appliances: Furniture, appliances, electronics and other household items are not being collected at this time. People wishing to donate these items can call The Father English Center, Paterson: 973-881-0127 or 0280 – ask for Carlos Roldan. Or visit their website at http://www.fatherenglish.org. Items left at the Civic Center or other locations around town will be donated to local organizations at the discretion of the Wayne VOAD.

Clean-out Help: To request clean-out help, please dial 2-1-1. A call specialist who knows community resources will speak with you and direct you to the services that are available to help you in your time of need. If you have trouble connecting, call 877-652-1148

Flood Recovery Assistance: Residents who have been impacted by the flood can find a wealth of information about how to receive assistance – including food stamps – by going to www.waynetownship.com and clicking on the Flood Warning bulletin in red letters on the home page.

For more information about services available by other organizations, go to www.UnitedWayPassaic.org or www.PassaicCountyNJ.org.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO NEW JERSEYANS

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to individuals who worked in or are self-employed residents of New Jersey, and who are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Irene. The application deadline for DUA in Passaic County is October 3. Claims filed after this date may be ineligible for payment. To file for unemployment, please call any one of the numbers below and a DUA specialist will provide assistance.

Union City: 201-601-4100

Freehold: 732-761-2020

Cumberland: 856-507-2340

Disaster Unemployment Assistance information is available in Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC). Residents can find the DRC closest to them online at: http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm . For information on all New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development programs and services, visit http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/index.html.