The Mayor Michael Melham Civic Association is teaming up with Councilwoman Naomy DePeña and Board of Education President Luis Muñiz on relief efforts for residents of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic affected by Hurricane Fiona.
Among the items most needed are water filters/cases of water, batteries, lanterns/flashlights, backpacks, personal hygiene products, first-aid kits, baby formula, solar chargers, clothes, canned/packaged food and diapers for children and adults. The deadline to drop off items is Friday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. Donations may be dropped off at Town Hall, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as Zentia Martial Arts at 281 Main St., Monday through Thursday, 4-6 p.m.
All donations will be added to items collected in Newark and shipped to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Oct. 1.
For more information, call (973) 450-3345.
Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday, Sept. 18 as a Category 1 hurricane. It left as much as 30 inches of rain in some places, leading to mudslides, landslides and loss of power and water for much of the island.
The death toll is at least eight, according to local officials.
Fiona also slammed into the Dominican Republic, where two deaths were reported. Shortly after making landfall, a state of emergency was declared in eight provinces, where several mudslides were reported.
“Even from more than 1,500 miles away, we can extend a hand of help and hope to the people of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic,”Melham said. “Let’s not forget that the destruction wrought by Fiona comes as people in that region were continuing to recover from the Category 4 Hurricane Maria five years ago.”
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.