Days After Ocean Grove Fire, Red Cross Helps Victims

Days after a fire and of many Ocean Grove residents, the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross is still working to provide relief to the victims.

As local firefighters battled the blaze, a disaster response team of eight volunteers and staff members from the Red Cross were on the scene to provide aid to the 28 residents who were displaced as a result of the fire.

Of them, 15 were provided financial relief from the Red Cross.

Melissa DeGennaro, spokesperson for the local Red Cross chapter, explained that the organization provides relief for victims of tragedies in Monmouth and Ocean counties through financial aid. 

"We've been getting a lot of phone calls," DeGennaro said of the community's response to the fire, many who phoned were looking to donate clothing or other items to those displaced.

But, DeGennaro said, the Red Cross doesn't accept such donations for local disasters. Instead, the Red Cross provides financial help to victims so that they can purchase clothing, food and obtain lodging.

"The thing that's great about Ocean Grove," she said. "Clearly everyone wants to help."

In the days following the fire, Red Cross staff members have kept in close contact with the victims to help assure that their needs are met and further assistance can be provided if needed. 

"As of this moment," DeGennaro said. "Everyone that we've worked seems to be really grateful and very happy with the way that things worked that day."

She reported that at this time, none of the victims have reached out for additional assistance, though that could change as time goes on.

"We do keep in close contact with them," DeGennaro said, explaining that the non-profit organization partners with several other groups to help provide as much help as possible for victims of local disasters.

Members of the public interesting in donating funds can do so by visiting www.jerseycoast-redcross.org and specifying that their donation be made the disaster relief fund to ensure their donations are used locally.