Community Corner

RHS Students, Local Businesses Teaming Up to Help Shore Victims

Drop off essential items bound for the Jersey Shore at Ken Smith Motors on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ridgewood High School students and two local business owners are joining forces to provide critical items for people who lost everything in the devastation of Hurricane Sandy.

On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kelly Masterson of Masterson Pools and Mike Tarleton of TLC Landscaping will have several trucks ready to go at Ken Smith Motors on Franklin Avenue.

They, along with several Ridgewood High School students, will be collecting as many items as residents can throw at them. The goods will be heading to the Monmouth/Ocean County Food Bank this weekend to benefit victims.

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Organizers are pleading with village residents to bring the basics: ready to eat food (chili, soup, etc.), diapers, toiletries, and cleaning supplies such as heavy duty garbage bags, gloves, mops and brooms, bleach, Pinesol/Lysol, sponges, scrub brushes, dust pans, rags, shovels.

"The Ridgewood community has an opportunity to show support for Jersey Shore families who have had their lives disrupted and in some cases destroyed by Hurricane Sandy," said Josh Saladino, an RHS Social Studies teacher and liaison between the businesses and students.

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The teacher said RHS students, led by the Student Congress, are "enthusiastically embracing the opportunity." They'll be collecting goods on Friday and will help package and collect on Saturday at Ken Smith Motors.

Students initially approached Saladino asking to play a greater role.

"The student response was so enthusiastic that they suggested taking on more responsibility," Saladino said. "The students are hoping to see the community come out and show support for this worthwhile endeavor."


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