Wednesday June 18

Today Group 2, consisting of Meredith Srour, Charlotte Galbreath, Eric Van Brunt, Nelia Scioli, Jack White, and Lia Sohl, helped to clear debris from four different homes. The debris was mainly plastic bags, beer cans and bottles, cigarette boxes, and pieces of asphalt. While cleaning the trash from the yard of a house, we met an elderly lady who lived next door. She told us that she had lived in the New Jersey area for 50 years and was one of the only homeowners on her street whose house was not severely damaged during Hurricane Sandy. She later asked us where we from to which we replied Potomac, Maryland. Much to our surprise, she told us that her son primarily lives in Potomac off of Falls Road. It really is a small world! We had a lot of fun working together and bonding with one another and we are excited for our last day of work tomorrow.

Today part of Group 3 (Tommy Spies, Stefanie Baarman, Teddy Andrew, Charlie Nahabedian), went to three different houses and cleaned up debris and also weeded. It was a hot, humid day and most groups cleaned debris. While Group 3 was finishing up, a woman named Cathy came to our work site and took us to Johnny Fries for lunch. While in Johnny Fries, we met the owner, Johnny. It was a very delicious lunch. After lunch, Group 3 returned to the Moose Lodge where they hung out, waiting for the other groups to finish. At the end of the day, everyone except for Group 1 went to the boardwalk/beach. The girls went in the water while the boys stood and watched.

Group 4 and the rest of Group 3 also cleaned up small debris at various locations in Ortley Beach just north of Seaside Heights.

When groups 2-4 were done, our host Mike took us to the boardwalk and explained what had been repaired, what was completely washed away by Sandy, and work that still needs to be done.