Sandy victims struggle with clean-up but help is on the way.
Hurricane Sandy affected the entire East Coast, but was specifically severe in New Jersey and New York. On Oct. 29th Sandy struck land near Atlantic City and made its way up the coast to cause an estimated $63 billion in damages.
The education department sponsored a hurricane relief trip to Atlantic County, specifically, Linwood, N.J. Just north of Somers Point, Linwood is only one of the many places in South Jersey that still needs help with clean-up after the devastating effects of the storm.
On Nov. 15th two students and five faculty members, Colleen Poole, Beverly Bryde, Maryann Lanchoney, Margaret Pearse and Tony Verde went to Linwood. They worked in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham’s rapid response team, which assist victims of natural disaster, war, disease and famine.
Many of the people in Linwood were there alongside these volunteers trying to clean their homes to make them livable again.
“They were not homeless, but there was extensive damage to the house,” Pearse said. “There was too much damage for the families to live there.”
Cabrini faculty volunteers removed flooring, walls and debris, as well as saving what could be reused.
The students supplemented the faculty by carrying debris from the reconstruction to the curb for removal which is exhausting work.
“They were wonderful ladies,” Pearse said about the student’s involvement. “They worked tiresome, long hours doing whatever they could to restore hope to this family.”
Over a month after Sandy there are still thousands of families affected by the storm and are in need of any assistance in regards to clean up and rebuilding their homes.
If you’re interested in helping families, please call Samaritan’s Purse in Linwood at 609-927-2950. They are accepting any form of help.
