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I have spent 95% of my time in Bay Head (my hometown), coordinating food with all of the wonderful volunteers, many of whom received damage, but have still been at it volunteering since Tuesday. They began focusing on the responders (local, county, state, guard/reservists, volunteer fire companies, etc). I believe Friday we began really opening up to the residents who are still ALL without power (as far as we know) and who have just started to get water in most of the town. We were feeding and warming all of these individuals at the Bay Head Public Works, aka the recycling center, where the OEM is sitting, since it was the only borough building which did not flood significantly. Since then, we have expanded the operation. The fire department is housing our National Guard and Air Reserve components, and St. Paul's church is now the center for residents to visit. Both of these are much more centrally located and each of the three sites serve distinct populations and functions. The recycling center is still OEM headquarters and they are doing an AMAZING job. We are coordinating food, supplies, donations, volunteer information, etc. All incoming deliveries come here; please coordinate first. We have very limited storage space. The priorities right now are hot food, hand and toe warmers, chaffing trays and sterno, warm socks, gloves, hats. This is because temperatures are already near freezing (Point Beach had already had one confirmed water pipe burst and one hypothermic patient earlier today). Bay Head has no power that we have heard about, and water has been improving for most, but not all of town. The gas is on, but many homes' hot water heaters, heat, etc were located in the basement and were flooded and would not work for many even if the power were on. (We advise against trying because of the risk of valve failures on gas equipment that got wet... salt water is so corrosive, it would likely result in an explosion, according to a very reliable handyman here.) The OEM is updating the Bay Head Borough website with key information for residents and lists of critical items. Kelly and crew, you are the best. Again, storage is limited. This community has pulled together in an amazing way. Neighbors helping neighbors, volunteering their time and food, when they themselves were affected. We have also been so thankful of everyone who has donated and volunteered from out of town, as well as the local businesses who have not stopped delivering what they can to MULTIPLE sites. Hot food right now is a PREMIUM. So far donations have come from Joe Leone's, Bubbakoos, Surf Taco, The Broadway, Jersey Mike's, and even the Ark. They have all been amazing, but I would like to especially thank John at the Ark, who brought over serving supplies, etc, even though his business was flooded and his equipment damaged/possibly ruined. Just one example of how people are putting others before themselves. We also have had a chiropractor and a masseuse provide much needed comfort to our volunteers. All of these local businesses have been affected in incalculable ways, but they are going above and beyond. You, and all of the individuals donating (too many to thank right now, but we will one day), are demonstrating to the world what community means. I also want to mention, partially because of the impact, but also because of the humor, that my brother collected supplies in Charleston, SC at Coast Brewing Co (full disclosure... family member's business...) drove it up, funded by Bay Head residents (the Harringtons), but dubbed it the "Feed a Yankee Fund." Looks like some southerners may have forgiven us, maybe? That all being said: This is a marathon, not a sprint. There is no word, not even an attempted guess, at how long we will continue like this. Those that have another place to go have generally already done so, but there are many individuals left. Also, there may be a need for round-the-clock law enforcement for a while. (There are very few Bay Head police officers, since we are a small and typically quiet town.) We are working towards a long term plan, which will include a long-term volunteer plan. Volunteers can stop at the town clock (Bridge Ave, center of town) to sign up. (Need basic info: Name/contact, availability, any specialized training, etc that you would like to offer, ...) Please continue to check the town website for 100% factual information, from the town, and needs. The intent is for them to be the info source and for them to focus on their job, while we volunteers coordinate the food/donations so that they can. We have now gotten to the point where we are coordinating better with neighboring communities. For those that do not know, the majority of this area (possibly the state) run on volunteer firefighters and first aid. Here, Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Borough each have two fire departments, Bay and Mantoloking each have one. Point Pleasant Borough has a first aid squad and Point Pleasant Beach's squad covers Point Beach, Bay Head, and Mantoloking. These towns all have mutual aid agreements and have worked together regularly for years, decades. Point Beach has been communicating with Bay Head since before i got here on Thursday, and Point Boro stopped by to bring warm food Thursday night. Today, we had representatives sit down to coordinate efforts, and we were also joined by Wall Township. We are trying to create a network as far as possible with our counterparts to coordinate needs and excesses. Point Beach, Boro, and Bay Head cannot take more clothes, as much as we appreciate them. We have TOO MUCH and need to get it where it can be used. Please let us know if you have a point of contact (POC) at any other site so we can continue coordinating. I think that is all for now. Please let me know if I was unclear... Do not hesitate to contact us; just please be patient about response times. Thank you! Note: In case you have not heard, residents have been evacuated from communities in Mantoloking on down to Seaside. Due to the gas lines, they may not be allowed to begin reconstruction efforts for 6-8 months, based on current estimates. The only ones receiving care, etc there are the responders and crews. They cannot and will not take much. Point Beach has been working the closest with their coordination point.

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