Aiding Sandy Relief: Light Being Cast onto the Darkness

Millions without power, thousands without homes, hundreds of families displaced, and an unknown number of people gone. This was the story of Hurricane Sandy. The devastating storm left many with even more uncertainty than it came with. Its relentless wake not only threw hoards of people into states of mass confusion, but it destroyed beaches, churches, schools, and worst of all, families. The financial toll is vast, but the emotional burden on some will remain inestimable. The storm shoved many into the shadows as they faced the reality of losing everything that was near and dear to them, but out of the darkness has come a light that shines brighter than anyone could have imagined. The enormous surge of generosity that has come to the aid of people in need has been astounding.

Obviously there has and will continue to be a great need for continual help in areas that were affected viciously, but with all of the assistance that relief efforts have received, the amount of work needed to resurrect the Jersey Shore does not seem insurmountable anymore. The Bonner Scholars and TCNJ community as a whole are doing and will continue to do an amazing job of pooling together our resources and supporting our neighbors over by the shore until they can really stand up on their own two feet again. The important part is to remember that the need down at the shore will last long after media has stopped reporting about it and all the trained professionals are being pulled out of the region. It will be at that time when we will all be needed more than ever. We will continue to update the blog with new stories our volunteers’ selfless work along the shore, but just remember that taking that one extra box of clothes, helping clean that one extra yard, and even making that one extra PB&J sandwich really will help the lives of many; more than you can imagine.

“We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Coach Carter

-          Raj Manimaran