Oklahoma: Don't Visit, But Please Send Cash

Oklahoma urges out-of-state residents not to mail or truck in supplies, but would appreciate charitable contributions

  Oklahoma and FEMA officials are asking those who want to help tornado victims to make charitable contributions, but not to mail or truck in any supplies. Even as Oklahoma officials are emphasizing how much they appreciate that folks from out-of-state want to roll truckloads of supplies into the tornado-ravaged area of the state, they have to politely decline because it would divert attention from handling the ongoing crisis and possibly create a mountain of items no one will want. "Please don't send used clothes or supplies and, no, we can't have trucks coming in," said Ann Dee Lee, a volunteer helping the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management's public relations department field media calls. On Tuesday, plans were brewing among Jersey …

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Local Community Resources For Hurricane Victims

Patch has compiled a list of local resources and efforts for those affected by Hurricane Sandy

Many in New Jersey, some in the East Windsor area, are still suffering the effects of Hurricane Sandy. That’s why East Windsor Patch has compiled a list of resources and drives in the area: The American Legion Post No. 148, located at 895 Route 130 in East Windsor, will open an Emergency Shelter Monday at 3 p.m. The legion will offer coffee and a warm place to stay to those who need it. Dinner will be offered Monday at 6 p.m., and lunch and dinner will be offered Tuesday, Nov. 6 and Wednesday, Nov. 7 free of charge. A charging station where residents can charge cell phones, laptops and PDAs will also be available. Residents wishing to stay overnight should bring sleeping bags and blankets. For further information, call 609-448-4055.   East…

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Hightstown Women's Club Donates to Local Schools

The Board of Education thanked the organization at last week's meeting.

The East Windsor Board of Education accepted donations from the Hightstown Women’s Club to the local schools, and thanked the organization for its generosity, according to a news release. The Women’s Club gave $625 to the vocal program at Hightstown High School, $625 to the instrumental program and $200 to the principal’s discretionary fund at Melvin H. Kreps Middle School, $100 to the principal’s discretionary funds at Perry L. Drew Elementary, Ethel McKnight Elementary and Grace N. Rogers Elementary, and $300 to the principal’s discretionary fund at Walter C. Black Elementary, the release said. The board accepted the donations at the June 11 meeting. “The donations from the Hightstown Women’s Club have enhanced programs already in place …

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13-Year-Old to Hold Charity Baseball Event to Honor Cousin with Cancer

Donations will be given to the Valerie Fund.

Eight-year-old Leo Jasper is a happy second grader, his favorite baseball team is the Mets and his favorite player is David Wright. “I play little league, foursquare and kickball,” he said in an email. And of course, he likes TV and video games. But at the age of three, Jasper was diagnosed with Leukemia and his family turned to the Valerie Fund, a non-profit organization that provides support for children with cancer and blood disorders. His cancer eventually went into remission, but he continues to receive check-ups at the Valerie Fund every other month.  Jasper’s 13-year-old cousin, David Jasper of East Windsor, wanted to do something in honor of Leo Jasper so he came up with “Going, Going, Gone,” a charity baseball event to raise funds…

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Rise Receives Donations From Girl Scouts

Rise: A Community Service Partnership recently received 10 boxes of donations full of stuffed animals, books and pajamas from Girl Scout Troops #71986 and #70761. The girl scouts put up posters and collected items for the Rise Martin Luther King Sleepy Time Drive at the West Windsor Village School. Donations will be given to low-income families with children in the Hightstown-East Windsor Area, according to Rise. The drive collects items including pajamas, toothbrushes, toothpaste, stuffed animals and books.

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East Windsor Acquires 47.55 Acres for Open Space Preservation

Some of the land was donated, while other was purchased through various grants.

East Windsor Township acquired 40 acres on Etra Road and 7.55 acres on Airport Road for open space preservation, according to a news release. “Preserving these properties as open space will directly contribute to and enhance the attractiveness of our community and the living environment for our residents,” Mayor Janice Mironov said in a news release. “Acquisition of these properties represents another excellent step in further expanding open space and potential recreational opportunities.” The $1,100,000 purchase price of the Etra Road property was underwritten by several grants, including Green Acres, Mercer County open space grants and New Jersey Turnpike Authority funds, the release said. The Airport Road property, which is wooded, has …

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Cranbury Fire Company, First Aid Squad Donations Drop

Volunteers are also needed.

Only three weeks into 2012, the Cranbury Township First Aid Squad and Volunteer Fire Company have noticed a drop in donations, with their costs rising annually. “We understand that it’s been a recession and times are tough, people have to cut back, but we still have to answer the call. Recessions don’t effect emergencies and we still need to be available for you, trained and ready,” said Charlie Smith, president of both the First Aid Squad and Fire Company. First Aid Squad In 2010 the First Aid Squad responded to about 640 calls, and about 805 calls in 2011, Smith said. The 2010 fund drive was down by 30 percent, and in 2011 the fund drive was down an additional 10 percent. The annual expenses for the private company include paying for new…

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Board of Education Thanks Americana Diner, South Pacific Flowers

Both businesses donated to the East Windsor Regional School District.

The Board of Education thanked 41 local businesses and individuals at Monday's meeting for their donations to the district. Some of the businesses included owner Constantine Katsifis and General Manager Tory Roth, of Americana Diner, who donated hamburgers, hotdogs, cole slaw, macaroni and potato salads and bags of potato chips for the incoming ninth grade orientation picnic lunch, according to a news release. Shelly Lightman, of South Pacific Flowers, was thanked for the donation of a gift certificate for prom flowers. "The generosity and interest shown to the students of the East Windsor Regional School District by these individuals and businesses is greatly appreciated," the news release said. The Board of Education only recognized …

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