OCEANPORT – Ed Penney said it was difficult to turn back the clock and picture his 98-year old neighbor fighting overseas against a global threat. But his urge to help Al Petito, a World War II veteran, never wavered when a severe heatwave blanketed the Two River area in mid-July.
“I was trying to imagine him jumping off a boat during D-Day with a weapon and full gear to storm the beach. He’s about 90 pounds right now,” said Penney, an Oceanport resident and local landscaper and handyman.
Penney said he learned through an Oceanport residents Facebook group that Petito had no air conditioning.
“There was literally a hole in his wall where an air conditioning unit used to be. I can’t say how long the hole had been there or how long he had been without air conditioning. Something needed to be done,” Penney said.
Oceanport Gardens, located on East Main Street, is a six-story apartment building composed of 100 affordable housing units, some of which are occupied by elderly borough residents like Petito who live on a fixed income.
Residents of Oceanport Gardens must provide their own air conditioning units but, after investigating the hole in Petito’s wall, Penney found that a basic window unit would not suffice.
Instead, Petito needed a more specialized wall unit that was significantly more expensive than a window unit.
Oceanport councilman Robert Proto said Penney spent about $700 on the unit.
“Ed led this initiative out of the goodness of his heart. He met with Al, bought the unit and did the installation. He exemplifies what it means to look out for your fellow neighbor in a time of need. And his action helped inspire more action, ” Proto said.
Oceanport First Aid Capt. Kathy Kenny contacted Proto after finding five additional apartments without air conditioning units in the Oceanport Gardens building, currently owned by Oceanport Urban Renewal Preservation, a subsidiary of the New York City-based firm Related Companies. The borough finalized a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with the company in January. Proto said the group plans to rehabilitate the building, which was built in 1976.
After receiving the information last week about the lack of air conditioning, Proto said he called the organization to see if they would be willing to help.
“Legally they are not obligated to change the building policy or do anything, but they do have a PILOT. They are coming in as a neighbor. And the onus is on them to do the right thing here, which they have done,” Proto said, noting that the group has hired a new building superintendent who performed an inspection of each apartment July 22.
According to Proto, following the inspection, the organization has agreed to replace and install new air conditioning units for all residents who need one, free of charge.
“This act by Ed (Penney), followed up by the hard work of Kathy led to a phone call and the new owner’s willingness to join the effort. It’s incredible to see all the good that can come from an act of kindness. Great things happen when a community comes together,” Proto said.
Penney said after purchasing and installing Petito’s new unit, word spread through the community and donations began to roll in. He and Kenny have collected enough to cover the cost of purchasing the unit and an estimated additional $300 as of July 29.
They plan to put the additional money plus any future donations in a fund to help residents pay for the increased electric bills as a result of the new units. “Some of these people haven’t had air conditioning units for a long time and may not be prepared to pay that additional bill,” Penney said.
“I don’t know Al too well but he seems like a man of few words and it’s a little tough to interpret what he’s saying sometimes,” Penney said.
“But you can’t misinterpret the smile that came across his face or the tears welling up in his eyes when he stood in front of that air conditioner. It meant a lot to him that the community stepped up for him like this.”
UNABLE TO PAY FOR YOUR HEATING OR COOLING? YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP helps low-income residential customers pay for heating and cooling bills, even if heat is included as part of rent payments. Applications for LIHEAP in New Jersey are accepted between Oct. 1 and Aug. 31. More information at njpoweron.org
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
HEAP is a federally funded grant program administered by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services through a network of local community-based organizations. HEAP provides customers help with paying winter heating bills and occasionally summer cooling bills.
Program Availability: Typically open Oct. 1 – April 30 or until funds are exhausted Contact: HEAP Hotline 1-800-510-3102
The Comfort Partners Program is a free energy conservation and education program for low-income customers of JCP&L. The program helps customers save energy and money by reducing their electric bills.
Program Availability: Open year-round Contact: Clear Results 1-800-915-8309
Universal Service Fund Program (USF)
USF, administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, provides low-income customers a payment plan to help lower the monthly cost for electric service. Participants pay a maximum percentage of their total household income for electric and natural gas.
Program Availability: Open year-round Contact: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs 1-866-240-1347
