Jersey Strong

Being that I'm a blogger from New Jersey, I wanted to share my thoughts on wants happening here in my home state.

It's hard to sum up how so many are feeling after the events of Hurricane Sandy. Something that is so massive, and has taken over the lives of thousands of people in the Garden State on such a grand scale... New Jersey has never experienced anything like this, so for me, wrapping my head around the fact that our shores are gone, that so many people have lost their homes, people have died... And a little over a week later, we're starting to pick up the pieces of what's left.

Hurricane Sandy has destroyed so much here, and in New York, Staten Island and other parts of the tri-state area. I can tell you that what I've seen in New Jersey is beyond saddening.

Worst is an extreme understatement. 

I've lived in New Jersey all my life and have never seen such devastation and desperation until now. You might have seen photos on TV of what the shore looks like... It's gone.

Places that I grew up spending summers with my family and friends are now floating memories washed away in the ocean.

Photo via http://www.directrelief.org

The flooding throughout the shoreline is on a scale that reminds me of Hurricane Katrina. The boardwalks I used to be so excited to visit as a child are washed away. People's lives, homes, possessions - destroyed. While material possessions can be replaced, you can't replace memories. I'm not sure what's going to happen... Never in the 32 years I've lived in NJ have I ever seen anything this massive. Flooding, the power outages, the measures we know have to take to get back to some type of normalcy have changed... Not sure what normalcy is for some people to be honest. More like nightmare. For now.


But I'm one of the lucky ones. My home was unscathed, as was my parents, but they sat for 6 days without any heat or power. I didn't have to ensure it because I was in England, but knowing your mother and father, and thousands of families are sitting in a cold houses, throwing out food, and standing in line for gas for 3 hours... I have a little guilt that I was away having fun while they were just trying to make the most of the situation.

However, I have seen many acts of kindness from people showing compassion and humanity for those in need. I think that's what makes New Jersey a little different than other places. We seem to have a thicker skin being that we are so close to New York. We'll make the most of the situation. We're Jersey strong.


But others need more help. I can't imagine losing my home... It's life changing. It devastating. It's heartbreaking. There are thousands of people throughout the state who were affected by Hurricane Sandy, and it's going to take a lot of rebuilding, time, money and love to get these people back on their feet.

I encourage you to donate what you can. Clothes, a local food drive, supplies, a small monetary donation, your time - it all makes a difference.

Here are some ways you can give a little bit, and make a big difference in the life of someone who needs it.

Donate direct to the American Red Cross by clicking here.

Or donate to the Red Cross by texting “Redcross” to 90999.

Donate to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund by clicking here.

Help New Jersey rebuild the shore, particularly, Seaside Heights. Architecture for Humanity will be holding a marathon on November 15 on MTV. In the meantime, click here to donate to their cause.

Want to volunteer your time? Check out Volunteermatch.org.