New Jersey post assists 505 flood victims

New Jersey post assists 505 flood victims

A snowstorm in late January raised tide levels in several New Jersey Shore communities, causing severe flooding in areas such as the resort town of Wildwood. The local American Legion Post 184 opened its doors to help flood victims by collecting food, clothing, household and monetary donations, and the outpouring received was “unbelievable,” said Post 184 Commander Harry Weimar. The post assisted 505 families.

For two weeks following the flood, 62 Legion family and community volunteers worked more than eight hours a day to collect donations such as bedding, clothing, toiletries, baby items, cat and dog food and unperishable food, and to distribute to the families in need. Auxiliary Unit 184 members helped sort, fold and organize the donated items that were piled on tables set up throughout the post. And the $4,000 that was mailed from American Legion and VFW posts from around the state helped purchase items not already donated.

Post 184’s efforts to assist local flood victims was promoted on Facebook by Weimar and his daughter, Brandi, and by local newspapers and dignitaries who visited the post.

“We just could not believe the outpour in the response that we got,” Weimar said. The drive for flood victims was “something that we needed to do. When (Superstorm) Sandy hit (in 2012) we helped out. I just could not believe the return that we got. It made me feel like I was back in the service again where we all helped one another.”

American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett made the National Emergency Fund his primary fundraiser, with a goal of raising $1 million. NEF provides immediate financial assistance to Legion Family members and posts affected by natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and flooding. The fund provides up to $3,000 for qualified Legion Family members and up to $10,000 for posts.

The NEF covers expenses such as temporary housing, food, water, clothing and other daily household items. To date, the national commander has reached less than $175,000 of his overall goal. Support the commander in his efforts of ensuring our members and their families are taken care of in a time of need. Donate to the NEF here.