by Katharine Koehler
John is a father of three children. His wife died after a long illness, leaving him to care for their children, ages 9, 11 and 12. Just months after this family was struck with this tragic loss, Superstorm Sandy dealt another blow, destroying their Union Beach home and community on Oct. 28, 2012.
Anna is a single mom who lives in Sea Bright with her with her two children. Her youngest, a boy, has autism and had an especially difficult time coping with the destruction of their family home. These are some of our neighbors who, thanks to hard work, determination and the kindness of a generous com- munity, are celebrating the holidays at home this year, three years after Sandy took away their homes, possessions and security.
Room In Our Hearts was formed in the weeks following Sandy, with the goal of helping our neighbors restore a sense of home by furnishing and decorating a room in their homes. When we began our work, we planned to help families affected by the storm, and when the job was finished we would move on to help others affected by other crises such as illness or fires.
More than three years later, our work to help families who lost everything in the 2012 storm is far from over. Week after week, Room In Our Hearts’ army of volunteers is deployed in Union Beach, Sea Bright, Port Monmouth, Keansburg, and other communities that are still in recovery.
We bring furniture – some purchased, some donated, and many pieces lovingly restored – along with rugs, décor and other items that help transform houses into homes. For John and his three children, Room In Our Hearts brought a woman’s touch to their home, transforming an empty room into a sanctuary for the whole family.
Anna’s living room is beachy and bright, a place where she and her children can spend time together, watch TV, play games and relax.
The Johnsons had been crowded into a small temporary trailer on their Union Beach proper ty as they worked through the red tape and financial setbacks that pre- vented them from rebuilding their home. When Sandy struck, they lived with their two boys and grandmother, and shortly afterwards they learned that another baby was on the way. For this family the unexpected new baby was one of the few things that gave them hope during the dark days, months and years that followed the storm.
When they were finally able to move out of their tiny trailer last month, Room In Our Hearts was delighted to refurnish their living room with new and repurposed furnishings, lamps, artwork, carpet – everything that makes a house a home. Our volunteers have contributed thousands of hours helping families have a home for the holidays. Volunteers like board member Holmdel resident Al Procaccino from Castle Financial, who consistently and generously supports us in every way possible. Volunteers like Project Manager Alyson Santoro of Middletown, who tirelessly helps folks move back home with her creative and generous spirit, and Project Administrator Maureen O’Malley of Middletown who works behind the scenes to coordinate volunteers to work on each room, and Volunteer Allison van Riemsdyk, also from Middletown, who for three years has been willing to roll up her sleeves and work, in between her sons’ pro hockey schedules.
This holiday season, if you are enjoying the warmth and security of a roof over your head, a table to gather around with your family, a chair to sit in and family mementos to keep cherished memories alive, please take some time to think about our neighbors who are still longing to return home. Please remember that hundreds of families in our communities are still hoping for a home for the holidays and every day. And remember the many volunteer organizations that are still hard at work helping to rebuild and restore hope for those who lost so much. There is still much work to do.
Katherine Koehler Founder and Executive Director, Room in Our Hearts
Middletown
