Hoboken’s businesses, governments and citizens are organizing various fundraisers to help the refugees of devastating Hurricane Katrina, the powerful storm that hit the Gulf Coast.
Hoboken adopts a town
The Hoboken municipal government adopted a resolution at the council meeting Wednesday night to officially adopt the city of Kenner, La., which is a close suburb of New Orleans. The town of about 70,000 people was badly damaged by the storm.
“There is no water. There is very limited electricity, no gas and no sewerage at this point,” Mayor Phil Capitano says on Kenner’s city Web site. “We don’t know when all these services will be restored. There are no stores open, no gas to be found, and existing here for days or even weeks will be very miserable. There are health and safety concerns as well because of contaminated floodwaters and downed electric poles that may still be live.”
Earlier this week, Hoboken Councilman Christopher Campos called Capitano.
“I asked him what we here in Hoboken can do to help them in Kenner,” Campos said Wednesday night. “He specially asked for baby food, baby wipes, diapers, flash lights and batteries, but added that any help at all would be greatly appreciated.”
The city has set up an account at a local bank so that it can collect monetary donations. It has also established a number of drop-off locations around the city where residents can leave food, water and clothing donations.
“Some 90,000 square miles of the Gulf Coast was devastated by the hurricane, and it seems so hard to imagine where to start any relief effort, especially in low and moderate income communities,” said Mayor David Roberts. “The opportunity to adopt a community like Kenner gives a focused structure to directly provide assistance on an ongoing basis.”
The drop-off spots are City Hall, at 94 Washington St., the Multi-Service Center at 124 Grand St, and at the Russo Civic Association at 420 Adams Street.
Cash donations can be mailed to City Hall c/o Bill Campbell at 94 Washington St., Hoboken N.J. 07030. Checks should be made out to Hurricane Relief for Kenner.
Restaurants and bars do their part
Numerous bars and restaurants throughout Hoboken planned to take $1 donations at the door this Friday, Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 10. All money will be contributed to various charities to aid in the Gulf Coast’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina. For an updated list of participating bars, log on to www.hoboken-bar.net. For more information, contact Ann Wycherley at annwych@aol.com.
Oddfellows Rest Louisiana Bar and Restaurant (80 River St., Hoboken) will be holding their own fundraiser Tuesday, Sept. 13. Oddfellows Rest, a New Orleans style restaurant featuring mouth-watering Cajun cuisine and some of the French Quarter’s finest brews and cocktails, will be donating proceeds from that evening toward the relief effort.
The Russo Civic Association
Always one of the first to chip in when help is needed, the Russo Civic Association will host a drive to benefit the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. They will accept water and monetary donations.
“We are all affected by this tragedy and hope that you will open your hearts,” said Councilman Michael Russo and Councilwoman Terry Castellano in a statement.
Donations can be mailed directly to the Russo Civic Association, P.O. Box 1515, Hoboken, NJ 07030, or they can be dropped off in person at the Russo Civic Association, 420 Adams St., Hoboken, NJ 07030.
Firefighters collect clothing and donations
On Saturday Sept. 10 the Hoboken Fire Department planned to collect clothing and donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The collection site will be at the Hoboken Fire Department Museum at 213 Bloomfield St. Firefighters were to be the there from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Photo studio to donate
Hartshorn Portraiture, in collaboration with children’s clothing store Bellie & Katrina, will be hosting a photo shoot on Thursday Sept. 15 and Friday Sept. 16 at Church Square Park. The studio specializes in high-quality family and children’s portraits by photographer Mac Hartshorn, an established fashion photographer.
According to officials from the studio, 10 percent of the sales from the event will be donated to “Save the Children” to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina. They will also be offering a special package exclusively for Hoboken residents. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (201) 610-1199.
PSE&G crews go south to give mutual aid
PSE&G crews are heading south to assist Southern Company with restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
“Mutual aid” is an arrangement between utilities that allows for the sharing of resources such as labor and equipment during emergencies, said Richard Dwyer, spokesperson for PSE&G.
“More than 60 linemen and 20 support associates have volunteered for this enormous effort. Employees are making personal sacrifices to leave home to lend a helping hand,” Dwyer said.
In addition to the tools and equipment crews will need to restore electric service, supplies such as food, water, tents, and satellite telephones are being gathered.
Help send relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina
At this time, the New Jersey Governor’s Office on Volunteerism has stressed that monetary contributions are the best way to provide assistance. This allows the professional relief organizations to purchase exactly what is most urgently needed rather than collecting packages by mail.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency lists the organizations for those seeking to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina:
American Red Cross (800) HELP NOW (435-7669) English; (800) 257-7575 Spanish
America’s Second Harvest (800) 344-8070
Adventist Community Services (800) 381-7171
Catholic Charities, USA (703) 549-1390
Christian Disaster Response (941) 956-5183 or (941) 551-9554
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (800) 848-5818
Church World Service (800) 297-1516
Convoy of Hope (417) 823-8998
Lutheran Disaster Response (800) 638-3522
Mennonite Disaster Service (717) 859-2210
Nazarene Disaster Response (888) 256-5886
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (800) 872-3283
Salvation Army (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
Southern Baptist Convention – Disaster Relief (800) 462-8657, ext. 6440
United Methodist Committee on Relief (800) 554-8583.