Here is a sneak peak of what is to come this summer!! Our strawberries are ripe for the picking!

6.10.15

Pictured here, you see kale seed drying out for the fall harvest!!!

 

Last week, the Monmouth County SPCA made a major donation to the Visitation Relief Center.  They supplied us with a huge load of dog food for our families.  This is a huge deal, due to the number of families we have with pets.  This is something that we are constantly in need of, so we would like to send a big shout out to the amazing people there, and to thank them from the bottom of our hearts.  Thanks again, Monmouth County SPCA!

 

 

 

The VRC offers their volunteers a wide variety of projects to work on while they are here.  We would like to thank the students and paraprofessionals of the Brick Public Schools Structured Learning Experience for helping plant fresh from seed herbs as part of our goal to get the community access to garden fresh food to put on their table. The herbs were planted in Mason jars, and labeled accordingly. Once they are fully-grown, they will be given to our families. Thanks again to the BPSSLE for their hard work!

 

Off of Gail Road, back into the woods, there was a debris field that was clogging the Mosquito Canals.  Our partners at Save Barnegat Bay and the Eco Warriors of the Visitation Relief Center went out to assess the situation, and found out that the Mosquito Canals had been completely cleaned out. A member of the neighborhood told them that the Federal Government had come in and cleaned the canals, as well as the surrounding woodlands.

 

 

 

Cool “DIY” shelving idea– Click Here to find out more!!  We will be featuring a new “DIY” idea every week until Spring!

PBS came in to the VRC and did a story on the relief center, our families, and the effect Superstorm Sandy has had on everybody.  To see this video, click here.

Gail Johnson is one of the many people with disabilities affected by Superstorm Sandy. Johnson, an elderly woman, has a disability, which severely limits her mobility. As a result, she requires a wheelchair to get around her home.

Johnson was given a manual wheelchair in February of 2014. Because of her disability it was still difficult for her to maneuver and enjoy the benefits of independent living. Through the collaborative efforts of the Visitation Relief Center (VRC), Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) and Catholic Charities Disaster Response Program, Gail has received a power wheelchair.

The wheelchair has a 22-inch seat and adjustable arms, was obtained, by Susan Pniewski, ACI Sandy Relief Project Director, one of VRC’s many partners. The power chair was transported to Johnson’s home in a box truck, which had been contracted through Catholic Charities Disaster Response Program. It was delivered to Johnson on Thursday, October 30, 2014.

“The wheelchair will improve her mobility, moving in and out of her home,” Pniewski said. “The [adjustable] arms moving out of the way will make it much easier for her to transfer.”

Pniewski said that ACI will also be awarding Johnson a $2,000 grant towards a platform lift for her home during the rebuilding process. She said that ACI will be awarding these grants to storm-affected members of the community who have disabilities, and that they will continue to offer free replacement of medical equipment.

Pniewski said that Johnson told her in a phone conversation that this was the first time someone told her “I’m going to help you.” When she first saw the power wheelchair, Johnson said, “It’s beautiful!”

The Trenton Monitor did a story on the Visitation Relief Center and our upcoming “Matching Funds” program.  The story was written by Lois Rogers.

In the American experience, where nothing seems impossible, you’d expect that 18 months after Superstorm Sandy hit, the wreckage would be cleaned up and everyone would be back in their homes, or well on the way there. You’d think the case load of people brought to their knees by the storm would have lightened and that the number of volunteers streaming into the Jersey Shore from around the nation to help would have slowed.

You’d think.

 

 

To read more on this story, click here.

Don’t forget to stop by the VRC to get Halloween costumes for the kiddies while supplies last!!