Operation Blessing helps New Jersey Pinelands community

Volunteers from Operation Blessing International, a nonprofit relief organization, are working alongside local and out-of-state mission teams stationed at Lighthouse Alliance Community Church in Little Egg Harbor Township, to help thousands of residents of the Pinelands community rehabilitate their devastated homes following Superstorm Sandy. They’re offering daily assistance by helping people rip out drywall, carpeting and insulation that have been affected by contaminated floodwaters, to help deter the growth of mold.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
Residents in Tuckerton Beach are still suffering
from damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.

“Operation Blessing really is a blessing,” said church volunteer Theresa Quinlan of Manahawkin. “The people down here are still living in homes without electricity. These are their primary homes; it’s absolutely devastating. Some don’t have furniture, and others are living in their cars and don’t know where to go,” she added, while also mentioning that it seems as if many people are unaware of the help Operation Blessing is offering for free.

Residents seeking help may fill out a work request and sign a release form at Lighthouse Alliance Church, at 2 Giffordtown Lane, Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or at the Living Water Christian Center, located at 113 Radio Road in Little Egg Harbor, Monday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“It’s easy to get lost as a small community nestled in Southern Ocean County, compared to Ocean City or Atlantic City, or Long Beach Island or Seaside (Heights) or Staten Island, but we’re working well with the community,” said the Rev. Stephen Hartman of Lighthouse Alliance Church. “Operation Blessing is reaching out to the people who have been traumatized because they weren’t expecting this sort of devastation,” he added.

Truckloads of donations are being offered to help the local residents, which Hartman said the community is sharing. Of course, he said, the community is still seeking volunteers to help “put things back together again.” This past Saturday, Nov. 17, 350 people volunteered their time and efforts to help begin rebuilding the area. A week before that, 500 people came out to offer help. During the week, Hartman said, nearly 60 people can be found offering their services on a daily basis.

To volunteer with Operation Blessing, call 757-793-1837. Those looking for assistance with their homes may call 757-274-8650.

This article was published in The SandPaper.