Letters
Katrina catastrophe a ‘call to order ourselves’

In this 21st century, we boast about modern technology and being globally connected, yet as a country we have fared no better in the tragic wake of Hurricane Katrina than we would have in centuries past. We are totally desensitized, disconnected and disjointed as people in the big scheme of Hurricane Katrina.

The ignorance that prevailed in earlier centuries against this country’s most disenfranchised people, slaves, has not changed. It has only become politically more modern. As writer Richard Wright composed these truths: “They (Negro) may feel that only dupes believe in isms. But anyone destitute of a theory about the meaning, structure and direction of modern society is a lost victim in a world he cannot understand or control.”

Wake up, black America. We have failed ourselves by and large. Without doubt, we have never been able to rely on the American judicial system let alone a quasi-democratic society.

Flash back to the Freedmen’s Bureau if you will and recognize that failed government intervention. Yes, here we are again at the forefront as the marquee victims. This historical tragedy of unprecedented proportion runs much deeper than the government’s failed rescue mission.

Black America must rise. We must be accountable for not upholding a tradition that overcame insurmountable odds. We have not traveled this road in quite some time. The popularity of modern society and its trappings have caused the race to lose its sight. Blinded by bling-bling — which has replaced spirituality — knowledge and dreams have rendered a sucker punch that will either muster up or continue to defy and define who we truly are as a race.

A tragic reminder, but as black Americans — now labeled refugees — we were entrusted a long time ago with a mission far more relevant to our survival than the latest new thing.

If we don’t see this catastrophe as a call to order ourselves, our homes, the community, then Hurricane Katrina will have come and gone in vain.

Gilda Rogers

Red Bank

Community supports relief efforts

The recent disaster of Hurricane Katrina left a group of us feeling the need to do something, anything, to help those impacted by the storm. It was the Wednesday prior to the Red Bank Street Fair (held Sunday Sept. 11) that we came up with an idea to set up a table and collect donations for Habitat for Humanity’s Hurricane Disaster Response.

We figured rather than stand there with a collection box, something enticing was needed to generate as many donations as possible. So we decided to go ahead and pick a favorite homemade cookie that we could give to those that gave money to the Hurricane Disaster Response.

Much to our surprise, we didn’t make enough cookies!

With the fair beginning at 11 a.m., we ran out of all 700 cookies in three hours! The thought of collecting enough donations to go through the 120 sleeves of a half-dozen cookies in that short a time never occurred to us.

Had we only doubled our efforts we would have easily doubled the $763 donated that day.

The community support of Red Bank and our surrounding towns took us by surprise. Never again will we underestimate the generosity of the people in our community.

It also shows that even with little planning, anyone can raise money for those in need when you have the people of Monmouth County within your reach.

Kevin and Renee Kelleher

Red Bank

Matawan MOM spur would mean loss of trail

Will a train replace the hikers and bikers who enjoy the newly-opened southern extension of the Henry Hudson Trail? If Sen. Peter Inverso could wield his political power once again, the answer would certainly be yes.

In 2001, Inverso (R-Middlesex/Mercer) was a member of the Senate Budget Committee that controls NJ Transit’s budget, and during budget hearings he requested the Lakehurst-Matawan line be reconsidered — even though NJT’s own multimillion dollar 1996 Major Investment Study concluded it was not a viable option.

Why did Senator Inverso do this? The answer is simple: he did not want train service running through Middlesex County, even if the Lakehurst-Monmouth Junction route is the most efficient and logical choice.

Furthermore it is distressing to know that, because of the pressure exerted from politicians in Middlesex County, NJT was reconsidering the Lakehurst-Matawan train line after a twenty-year lease was granted to the Monmouth County Park Department to develop the southern extension of the Henry Hudson Trail.

For residents of Monmouth County, a Lakehurst-Matawan line would mean the loss of the newly opened recreational facility and the loss of $2.1 million of our tax dollars the Monmouth County Park System recently spent to pave the trail.

Homeowners in Monmouth County, like myself, who moved into the vicinity of the Henry Hudson Trail because we believed it would be an exciting addition to our community, will lose a great recreational asset.

Unlike Inverso, Assemblymen Panter and Morgan (D-Monmouth/Mercer) have worked tirelessly to find an efficient, logical alternative for the MOM line that would benefit as many people as possible. I am encouraged that Panter and Morgan realize how destructive the Lakehurst-Matawan alternative would be to the residents near the Henry Hudson Trail southern extension.

The Matawan proposal makes little sense based on the large number of homes along the trail and the closeness of this route to the existing North Jersey Coast Line. I thank them for their dedication to this issue, and for involving constituents in this matter.

Let Sen. Inverso and NJT’s Executive Director George Warrington know that if a line is to be developed, the only one that makes sense is the Lakehurst-Monmouth Junction line as the 1996 Major Investment Study has already concluded.

Brian and Barbara Buckley

Freehold

Volunteerism: The power to help children

As a singer, a songwriter and a musician, whenever I write a song, sing a lyric, or play a chord — I want you to listen. Everyone needs someone to listen to them whenever they have something to say — especially children and teenagers.

In the world in which we live, we are surrounded by messages — television, movie screens, radio, Internet, all talking at us, not to us — to the point that it all becomes noise.

Sometimes we want to listen, and sometimes we want to be heard. People need to be heard and need to know that when times are rough, there’s someone willing to listen to them. If you have a place you can turn to, a shoulder to lean on or even to cry on, someone to unburden yourself upon and get something off your chest, someone to offer comfort or advice, you are blessed.

For too many children and adolescents however, it can sometimes feel as if there is no one anywhere in the world ready to listen to their concerns, whether the problems are big or small. Finding a way to listen to these young voices is critical for them and for us.

The 2nd Floor youth helpline addresses this need. The helpline has grown from a pilot project to a very successful service which has received thousands of calls from kids in need since its Monmouth County unveiling a year ago. Through my role as co-owner of the Philadelphia Soul, our extensive community service efforts and my relationship with Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, I was able to introduce 2nd Floor to parts of Philadelphia. Working with the Police Athletic League centers throughout the city, we’ve expanded 2nd Floor’s reach in Philadelphia and are now heading into Mercer County as well.

I am a father, and like you, I don’t want to see any child suffer, to be hurt or feel ignored. I also know that sometimes, kids don’t come to their parents first with their concerns. 2nd Floor through the Soul sponsorship offers professionals and trained volunteers who are available to listen and provide a caring, understanding and nonjudgmental response.

The outstanding volunteers help ease children’s worries, encourage kids to make decisions that promote their safety and well-being and even help them role play ways to speak with their parents and peers about whatever is on their minds.

Volunteers make this project possible. People want to volunteer and want to lend their time and energy to causes that make this world a better place. I want to spread the word. I want people to know that volunteerism is hip. Call it “the new black!” When you volunteer yourself, you feel good, you make a difference and you lead by example.

I cannot think of a better feeling than volunteering. To listen to the youth — our future — about their hopes, fears, dreams and desires just might move you too.

I ask that you consider volunteering for the 2nd Floor helpline. By lending your ear and your time to our kids, we can help change our world — one soul at a time.

Please call the 2nd Floor at (732) 787-6503. And take a moment to listen.

Jon Bon Jovi

Navesink

Eating dinner together fosters strong families

Last year, President George W. Bush, along with 42 states and more than 400 cities and counties across the nation, proclaimed the fourth Monday in September as Family Day — A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children. This year, I urge all families to make a concerted effort to commemorate Sept. 26 as Family Day — a day that serves as a symbol to remind parents and caregivers to eat dinner regularly with their children.

Research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University has consistently found that the more often children eat dinner with their parents, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. Other research shows that teens who eat dinner with their families are more likely to do well in school, be emotionally content, have positive peer relationships and healthier eating habits, and be at lower risk for thoughts of suicide.

This year, many more families will celebrate Family Day and recognize the importance of eating dinner together regularly and the parental engagement it fosters. CASA and Prevention First suggests the following in an effort to open the lines of communication among your children:

Start the pattern of family dinners when children are young.

Encourage your children to create menu ideas and participate in meal preparation.

Turn off the TV and let your answering machine answer calls during dinnertime.

Talk about what happened in everyone’s day, school, work, extracurricular activities or current events.

Establish a routine to start and end each meal. Light candles, say grace or tell a story.

After dinner play a board game or serve dessert to encourage the family to continue the conversation.

Keep conversation positive and make sure everyone gets a chance to speak.

For more information on Family Day or to receive our Family Resource Guide, call Prevention First at (732) 663-1800, ext. 216.

Mary Pat Angelini

executive director

Prevention First

Ocean Township