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How to Help Woodbridge Village Victims

Do you want to get involved? Here's how to help.

 
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Woodbridge Village fire pictures (for more pictures, go to http://bit.ly/L9kgW0) Paul Karmazin
Photos (6)

Photos

Woodbridge Village fire pictures (for more pictures, go to <a href="http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)">http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)</a>
Woodbridge Village fire pictures (for more pictures, go to <a href="http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)">http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)</a>
Woodbridge Village fire pictures (for more pictures, go to <a href="http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)">http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)</a>
Woodbridge Village fire pictures (for more pictures, go to <a href="http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)">http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)</a>
Woodbridge Village fire pictures (for more pictures, go to <a href="http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)">http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)</a>
Woodbridge Village fire pictures (for more pictures, go to <a href="http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)">http://bit.ly/L9kgW0)</a>


More than 100 people were left homeless in yesterday's conflagration at Woodbridge Village in Avenel. The fire destroyed 50 apartments, and had victims running from the buildings with only the clothes on their backs.

Thankfully, no one was seriously injured - but that still means that many Woodbridge families lost all of their personal belongings in the blaze.

"The Township is coordinating the collection of clothing for the victims and displaced residents of the fire at the Woodbridge Village – Colonia Garden Apartments," said township spokesman John Hagerty.

There are several drop off points for used clothing, diapers, and other items, such as the Evergreen Center on Inman Avenue in Colonia and the Woodbridge Community Center on Main Street in Woodbridge.  All donations will then be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Avenel.

According to officials at the First Presbyterian Church, the church's auditorium will be the central location for all donations to the fire victims.

"We need all kinds of clothing. Many people came out of the fire with nothing," said Stacey Castro, the church's administrative assistant.

Donations at other drop off centers are being brought to the church, Castro said. They will be doing sorting of clothing tomorrow morning at 9 am, she added.

Aside from clothing, diapers and toiletries are paramount right now. The church has already amassed cases of water, paper towels, diapers and other items, Castro said.

Anyone wishing to donate gently-used clothing, diapers, toiletries, gift cards, or other items to help the Woodbridge village fire victims can drop them off between 9 am and 1 pm at the church.

The First Presbyterian Church is located at 621 East Woodbridge Avenue in Avenel. The collection effort, however, will be at the building on the Kirk Avenue side street, behind the chapel. Look for the double doors to find volunteers helping the victims.

Those interested in making monetary contributions can do so through the Mayor's Office, according to Hagerty.  Any checks can be made payable to Mayor's Community Charity Fund, Inc. and forwarded to the Mayor's Office.

For more information, call the church at 732-634-1631.

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Related Topics: Donations, Fire, First Presbyterian Church of Avenel, Police And Fire, Volunteers, and woodbridge village apartments

Martha Motley

9:00 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012

Can u list the address where toiletries can be mailed for these families?

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Joshua J. Burnett

9:48 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012

Martha - any donations are being accepted at town hall or the Community Center (600 Main Street). Organizers of the effort have been stressing that they only really need monetary and gift card donations at this point, however (though I can't imagine they would turn down toiletries if you wish to send them.)

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