Get the whole story: Sandy Playground Packet

The Sandy Ground Project: Where Angels Play

Our story on NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2013/02/playgrounds_memorializing_newtown_victims_being_built_in_sandy-devastated_towns.html#incart_river_default

Radio spot on 101.5: http://nj1015.com/playgrounds-honoring-newtown-victims-going-up-in-sandy-ravaged-towns-audio/

The Sandy Ground Project: Where Angels Play

Our story on NJ.com: http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2013/02/playgrounds_memorializing_newtown_victims_being_built_in_sandy-devastated_towns.html#incart_river_default

Radio spot on 101.5: http://nj1015.com/playgrounds-honoring-newtown-victims-going-up-in-sandy-ravaged-towns-audio/

One week after Hurricane Sandy destroyed much of the New Jersey coastline and only hours after power was restored to the NJFMBA State office, I received a phone call from a Mississippi businessman who had remembered New Jersey firefighters and the playgrounds we had built there in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Mr. Billy Lamb explained to me that the community of Waveland and Bay St.  Louis Mississippi were collecting Christmas gifts for New Jersey children affected by the storm in an effort to “pay it forward” to those who had showed such kindness to them in their hour of need.

A trailer containing over 1,000 wrapped Christmas toys arrived from Mississippi on December 22^nd and was distributed by volunteer fire departments throughout the Bay Shore communities in Monmouth County.

The gesture from Mississippi was an absolute spiritual “shot in the arm” for the NJFMBA and the hundreds of members who had been serving the coastal communities in New Jersey for the past 6 weeks in every capacity imaginable.  Unfortunately, just as our members and their families were starting to get their second wind and make some sense out of the Jersey disaster, the unspeakable massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in New Town, Connecticut was reported to the country.

A horrified country brought to a standstill with the realization that innocent children and teachers were gunned down while conducting what should have been any normal, routine Elementary School day.  The understanding that this could have happened any where in America and to any one of our children or grandchildren was almost too terrifying to comprehend.  Many of us walked around in a daze and were saddened to such a degree that we could only go through the motions of work or politics or social schedules.

How could this happen?  How can this be prevented in the future?  Who really is to blame?  What can we do about it?  All of the above questions will no doubt be debated for years to come.

Here at the NJFMBA, like everywhere else, we struggle to be productive and helpful and advocate for firefighters and their families, while supporting countless communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy.  Under the leadership of Vice-President Bob Brower and Northern District Vice-President Herman Peters, the NJFMBA continued to help storm victims despite the depressing and demoralizing news coming out of New Town, Connecticut.

For days we struggled with what we should or could do to make a difference or at least focus our energies in some productive and meaningful way.  The call and news video from Mississippi regarding the playgrounds we had built almost seven years ago gave us the idea of what we needed to do.

The idea;  the Sandy Ground Project, Where Angels Play

Since we built three playgrounds in the gulf in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, it is only natural that we should build some playgrounds here in New Jersey for our own communities.  Not only in New Jersey, but in New York and Connecticut who were also devastated by Hurricane Sandy.  In addition, in an effort to honor and provide a lasting and living memorial to the 20 children and 6 teachers killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, we should build 26 playgrounds and dedicate each one to each of those slain.

26 playgrounds all along the coast of three States built by firefighters and police officers and teachers and volunteers in an attempt to connect two tragedies that eerily share the same name in a way that people can never forget.  Perhaps each playground can reflect the personality of the teacher or child for whom it would be named. A project that would only be done with the approval of the families of those lost.

This project is estimated to cost somewhere between 1.8 million and 2 million dollars.  I must have asked twenty individuals within the association as well as outsiders as to whether this idea was crazy and whether it could be done.  The answer each and every time was not only could it be done,  but rather it can and must be done.

So that only leaves one question, Who’s In??

Strategy meetings regarding logistics as well as celebrity and media contacts needed to raise this kind of money to complete a project of this magnitude are currently being scheduled.  Any one reading this magazine who would like to help is encouraged to call the State FMBA office @ 732-499-9250.

VOLUNTEERING: Volunteers are needed to clean up at Union Beach Saturday January 19th.  If you want to sign up please contact Troy Powell at troy256@mac.com. If you are interested in helping Hurricane Sandy victims in the Lavallette/Ortley Beach area, please contact Pete Scott (732-762-5737). Please call between 7-9pm the night before if possible. If you are interested in volunteering in the Highlands/Sea Bright area, contact Bob Brower at 732-221-0354 for Saturday December 15 and Sunday December 16th.  Thank you!

*****If you know of any Firehouse, career or volunteer, that could use turnout gear please contact Passaic FMBA Local 213, President Kevin Burgos, at kevinmail119@gmail.com.

The NJFMBA is coordinating a Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort.  Locals from around the State of New Jersey are creating task force volunteer groups to the worst effected areas.  If you or your local are interested in supporting this program please contact your Local president or the State office @ 732-499-9250.

Thus far we have the following locals either working with or coordinating with the following communities.

Locals                                                             Impacted Community

North Hudson 24/26                                          Weehawken

Nutley, E. Orange, Orange, So. Orange    Moonachie, Little Ferry

Hamilton/Bordentown/Bloomfield           Seaside Heights

Union 46/246                                                   Lake Como/ Belmar

Gloucester City                                                 Ocean City

Montclair/ Elizabeth                                        Point Pleasant

Kearny/Harrison                                               Long Branch/Sea Bright

Trenton 6/206                                                    Silverton, Toms River

Maplewood/South Orange                             Lavallette

Vineland/Ocean City/Evesham/Gloucester     Ocean City

Donations can be made to the Fuel Relief Fund, who has already donated plenty of free fuel to first responders and those in need.  www.fuelrelieffund.org

This is the FEMA link for NJ members – http://www.fema.gov/disaster/3354 .  Also, the general Red Cross link is http://www.redcross.org/find-help.

We are also encouraging donations to the Red Cross on behalf of Smitty Lavin and MaryKate Lavin as they raise many to run the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon.  Here is their donation page: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/run4shore/njsandyrelief.

If you have damage to your house or you need help please contact the websites above.  Please contact the office if you or your family is in need of immediate assistance. 732-499-9250.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Herman Peters and his team of volunteers for running the FMBA/PDR trailer for the past three weeks!  Herman set up just days after Hurricane Sandy hit and has been in the Barrier Island ever since.  He is always looking for help to distribute his coffee and soup, so please let him know if you would like to lend a hand.   201-206-8544

And to Scott Zabelski of Blue Wave Printing in Toms River for his generous donation to keep our Coffee Trailer stocked and operational on the Barrier Islands for as long as we are needed.

A special thank you to all of those who have already volunteered their time and services:

Fuel Relief Fund

Bertucci’s – Alicia & Gina

Taylor Rental in Piscataway

George Royston

Jim Stelman

Glenn and Deborah Turner

Frank Turner

Tom and Kathy Willbergh

Marc and Rachel Johnson

Erin DeHeron

Joe McLean

Joe Candelori

Dave and Sue Pierce

Bob Morrison

Bob Morrison Sr.

David Fox

Charlie Donahue

Karen Cuthbert

Brian Dunlop

Michael Burrell

John Denver

Brian Robertson

Michael Dingelstedt

Brian Perricone

Ron Silbernagel

Fred Cassel

Dan Gurrera

Alex Colantruglio

Richard Burchell

Jack Demczuk

Dave Jackson

Russ Lynn

Scott Fuller

Jason Lowery

Tim Deutsch

Keith Brodine

Matt Holkinson

Bill Brower

Jason Schmuro

Troy Jackson

Tyler Jackson

Bob Brower

Karen Brower

Frank Cornacchio

Lori Cornacchio

Stan Wojciechowski

Bill Sherer

Conrad Ramos

John Orcutt

Jillian Orcutt

Ivan Abreu

Phil Sousa

Dennis Connor

Laura and Dave Curtis

Rich Campanelli

David Jackson

Larry Dostanko

Michelle Dostanko

Mike Hunter

Mike Hunter Jr

Thomas Hunter

Lorraine Smith

Bailey Sadowski

Ronald Cole

Vin Bobcheck

Alan Ballester

David Klugel

Brian Salmon

Bill Tamburri

Marty Lutz

Anthony Palermo

Rich Cavanagh

Tom Bini

Dominick Scrimon

Mike McGreevey

Chris Foye

Don Meier

Mark Lovio

Dana Christianis

Sue Gardner

Alex Eristavi

Bob and Joan Hill

Brian and Lori McGorty

Jackie Wintruba

Billy Lamb

Debra Turner

Monetary Donations:

Blue Wave Printing, LLC

Maplewood Local 25

New Brunswick Local 217

Hamilton Local 84

Central District FMBA

Franklin Twp Local 88

Janice Merna

Craig Conrad

John J Brahan

Paula M Glavin

Brian E Moss

Denis McCarthy

Kenneth J Thompson

Collins & Company, Inc.

Timothy Lavin

Bruce Pollock

James D’Errico

Christopher Conti

This year’s NJFMBA Convention was extremely successful.  Thank you to all of our vendors who came out as well as our special guests.  Check out the Photo Gallery for more pictures from our 2012 September Convention!