NJ VFW Bringing Storm Relief Checks For Vets and Enlistees

Current and former military members scrambling to find the means to rebuild in Sandy's aftermath are about to get some help from the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Members of the statewide organization in Trenton will be in Toms River Friday to deliver relief checks to soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and veterans of any armed services branch facing the prospect of restoring, or relocating from, dwellings ravaged by the storm.

They'll be inside Toms River VFW A. Jay Weeks Post 6063, Court House Lane in the heart of downtown behind the Ocean County Justice Complex, from 9 AM 'til 4 PM.

"The checks are for any veteran, or active-duty member, whose home has been impacted by the effects of Hurricane Sandy," said John Dorrity, Ocean County Veterans' Services Director, who helped organize the initiative.

Dorrity also says that volunteers in Brick Township VFW Post 8867 have been supporting stranded families who no longer have liveable homes on the northern barrier island. However, some goods are in short supply, and donations are still welcome.

"They don't need clothes," says Dorrity, but their needs have evolved into matters of sustenance and restoration. They are in need of items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash and other personal hygiene products; diapers and baby formula; boxed or canned food and snacks; cleaning solutions, mops, brooms and gloves.

The Brick VFW is on Adamston Road.