Joint base aids local Hurricane Sandy victims

by Tech. Sgt. Zachary Wilson
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

11/9/2012 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst's professional organizations such as the First Sergeants' Council, Top 3, 5/6 Club, Air Force Sergeants Association and others are currently collaborating to centralize the joint base's efforts to provide aid and humanitarian relief for local communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

"Right now we are matching the needs of the community with our capabilities," said Senior Master Sgt. Vincent Lommen, First Sergeants' Council president. Lommen added that all of the organizations on the joint base were working together to coordinate requests, volunteers and supplies to provide one point of contact requestors could work with.

"So far, we have had several requests to provide help to (more distant communities) and we are going to provide as much assistance as we can, but we really want to focus our efforts on our more immediate neighbors. As of right now, we are looking for opportunities; the base's Emergency Operations Center is helping us to determine what local communities need our help."

Joint base partners can expect to start seeing calls for assistance through email and respective chains of command in the near future, Lommen said, but he emphasized each unit's first sergeant is the best point of contact to find any additional information.
Members who are ready to provide immediate assistance to those impacted by the hurricane can help now by contacting the American Red Cross through the disaster services department at (732) 493-9100.

"We are asking people to donate clothing, financial aid, store-prepared meals and any other unused items they wish to donate," said Gayle Lynch, a Red Cross volunteer on JB MDL. She added that the ARC is not accepting meals cooked in personal homes, due to safety concerns and the organization accepts only new clothing.

Lynch said there was a significant influx of people into Red Cross shelters she supported in the local area, with many people coming from Ocean and Burlington counties. National volunteers have since replaced the local chapter volunteers at these chapters, freeing the local workers to focus on more direct efforts for their respective communities.

The Dix Red Cross organization here provides military support services to the members of the joint base. Lynch noted that Red Cross donations should be coordinated with the regional American Red Cross in Tinton Falls, N.J., and not the local Red Cross organization on Dix. Military members stationed in the continental United States and Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico in need of Red Cross support can call the Armed Forces Emergency Services toll free at (877) 272-7337.