Jersey Shore Magazine

J e r s e y s h o r e • F A L L / H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 5 14 14 BEACHCOMBER continued from page 13 SANDY UPDATE Still Heroically Strong For Those Silenced By Sandy David Turton Photography A mariner's view of the destroyed homes on Mantoloking beach, between Herbert and Lyman Streets, as seen on November 3, 2012. T hree years have passed since Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc at the Jersey Shore. If you listen to the news, you might believe that the shore has, indeed, been restored and all is well. However, when the smoke screen clears, there are still many displaced families who aren't back in their homes and others who have yet to recover, almost 1,100 days after the storm. Two organizations, there from day one, continue to assist Jersey Shore residents and make sure that those who still need help are not out of sight or out of mind. Disaster Within A Disaster Hometown Heroes, headquar- tered in Toms River, and with a current presence in five states, is a registered non-profit organization founded in 2008 on the idea of pay- ing it forward. The organization has helped individuals and families with homelessness, drug abuse, domestic violence, hunger, and more. When Sandy hit, Hometown Heroes sprung immediately into action helping thousands of Jersey Shore residents. Soon after the storm, they were cho- sen to lead the Restore the Shore Hurricane Sandy relief campaign. Hometown Heroes co-founder and president Michael Schwartz explained that, while most people think Sandy is old news, there is still a real need for assistance, albeit three years later. "We get at least one call per day that is still Sandy related. Sometimes that number is as high as ten per day," he said. To illustrate how so many Jersey Shore neighbors are still not "stron- ger than the storm," Schwartz used an example of a recent request for help from a widowed woman living in a motel with her two teenage children. They moved into the motel three years ago when Sandy hit. He explained, "She called me from the hospital where she is recovering from an illness and was worried about her children in the motel. When we found out they hadn't eaten much, we sent over food and are now working with them to find suitable housing. While Sandy may be a distant memory for some, it's a harsh everyday reality for those living it or caught in the proverbial donut holes." In an ironic twist of fate, after helping so many others, Hometown Heroes' offices suffered a fire in May 2014, which was a complete loss. As such, the organization had to start from scratch. "We were complete- ly devastated. What the fire didn't take, the water from the fire hoses destroyed," said Schwartz. Despite rallying together and relocating to a new office within three weeks, staff members continually recall sentimen- tal items lost in the fire. Even though money specifical- ly earmarked for Sandy victims (including donations, fund raisers, and grant funding) has been distrib- uted, Hometown Heroes still finds a way to help Sandy families with food, clothing, housing, and sup- plies. "We are still here supporting those families, regardless of funding, through our network of heroes who step up every day to do extraordinary things. It's that network of heroes throughout the country that keeps Hometown Heroes going every day," said Schwartz. Hometown Heroes' last audit reflected a three percent administration cost, which according to Schwartz, is exceptionally low for a charity. Schwartz noted that the staff at Hometown Heroes hears heart- wrenching stories every day from so many that are still suffering. To them, they feel as if nobody is lis- tening. "If we speak loudly enough, our government, other charities, and our neighbors may start to pay atten- Courtesy Toms River Police Department In May 2014, Hometown Heroes' offices suffered a catastrophic fire, which was a complete loss. The organization had to start over from scratch.

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