Nearly One Year After Sandy, NJ Residents Are Still Cleaning Up
By Syma Chowdhry
TOMS RIVER, NJ (CBS) -- Volunteers are loading supplies to clean up and rebuild Sandy-hit areas nearly one year after the storm.
"There are still so many people and agencies that need help," says Sherry Lynn Fazio, with the organization Jersey Cares.
Jersey Cares collected supplies at a Home Depot in Toms River. They were all paid for by the Sandy New Jersey Relief fund, which is led by Mary Pat Christie.
Currently, volunteers are preparing for a two day event called Sandy Service Days.
"Things like shovels, sheet rock, power drills, lots of water," are needed, Fazio says.
On October 26th and 29th -- the anniversary of Superstorm Sandy -- thousands of volunteers from several different groups will help rebuild throughout the state.
They'll be doing, "Beach cleanup, painting and building life guard stands. We are doing some meal projects at local fire stations, we are doing some sheet rock projects," Fazio explains.
"I've heard a lot of stories about people that are still struggling emotionally, and every once in awhile, I still feel it," says Elizabeth Nesse, who still hasn't been able to move back into her home in Toms River, which sits between Barnaget Bay and the river.
"I had ocean water, river water, creek water and sewage all in my house," Nesse says.
Organizers say Elizabeth isn't alone - there are many people who are still not back in their homes and need help.
We are still in every single county, working in specific homes, helping home owners," Fazio says, and adds that they have plenty of supplies but need more volunteers.
To sign up to volunteer on Sandy Service Days, log onto: www.jerseycares.org or www.sandynjrelieffund.org
