The Unforgotten Haven is collecting two tractor-trailers of donated items for Florida and Texas residents.
A 53-foot tractor-trailer loaded with everything from paper plates to diapers has taken over the parking lot of Blackwood Fire Company. The colossal truck is bound for Rockport, Texas, a seaside city damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
The Unforgotten Haven, a Blackwood-based nonprofit encompassing 26 charity projects from clothing to food drives, is collecting a scope of items for victims affected by both Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, as a 48-foot tractor-trailer, bound for Immokalee, Fla., is parked behind Berlin Township’s Municipal Building. A third tractor-trailer is on standby, as the Unforgotten Haven hopes to transport donations to hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.
The nonprofit’s aim is to reach smaller, sometimes overlooked, areas battered by storms, as major national relief efforts tend to convene in large cities, like Houston.
“Everybody else is forgotten about, so then the Unforgotten Haven comes in,” founder Michele Gambome said. “We help anyone who needs our help, anyone that is forgotten, in anyway we can.”
The organization, which was sparked three years ago by helping a homeless family living in a minivan in Carney’s Point, has rented two trucks that will leave for Florida and Texas on Oct. 23.
Coincidentally, this year’s initial mission trip was planned for Texas, as Gambone intended to venture there to make “Snack Packs for Chemo,” one of the nonprofit’s projects, with a cancer patient.
But, when the Harvey hit in late August, the nonprofit’s effort shifted from one individual to thousands residing in the Lone Star State.
“We wanted to do a mission trip — one each year,” Gambone said. “We usually don’t like to pick and choose. But, everyone needs our help.”
Last year, the Unforgotten Haven drove a 26-foot box truck of donations, which filled up in just three days, to the flooded streets of Louisiana. The donations were shipped to a former Gloucester Township resident living in the impacted region who helped organize the distribution of goods to families in need.
However, this year, the Unforgotten Haven will arrive right in heart of the catastrophe, as the 53-foot tractor-trailer will travel to the Rockport Relief camp, a makeshift community where dozens of tents have sprung up.
The nonprofit is collecting specific items requested by hurricane victims, which primarily include toiletries, cleaning items and nonperishable foods. New and gently-used clothes will not be accepted.
Bringing the Hurricane Relief Mission Trip 2017 to fruition, the nonprofit has partnered with 64 nonprofits and churches throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
There are 34 drop-off locations scattered around South Jersey, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“It’s amazing. Everybody wants to help. One person can’t do this,” Gambone said. “You have to have a team, and that’s what we are.”
The list of requested Items can be a found here: http://unforgottenhaven.org/2017-hurricane-relief-mission-information-page/.
See these locations and descriptions below. (Some partnerships are collecting only specific items. )
Drop off locations:
St. Charles Borromeo in Sicklerville (176 Stagecoach Road). You can drop off items for the 2017 Hurricane Relief Mission Trip at the CCD building until Oct. 15.
Dare 2 Boutique (137 Egg Harbor Road in Sewell)
Jamie’s Dance Odyssey (1329 Hurffville Road in Deptford)
Devour Desserts (671 Route 45 in Mantua)
Stratford Diner (19 S. White Horse Pike in Stratford)
Eden School of Dance (1798 Williamstown-Erial Road in Sicklerville)
Christopher Moore Salon (508 Hurfville-Cross Keys Road in Sewell)
Stecher Farms CSA (1067 Township Line Road in Swedesboro)
Berlin Rental (181 Haddon Ave. in West Berlin)
Repeat Boutique (51 N. Main St. in Mullica Hill)
Berkshire Hathaway Turnersville Office (198 Fries Mill Road in Turnersville)
Ramirez Farmers Insurance Agency (1106 Haddon Ave. in Collingswood) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bakery 519 (128 E Evesham Road in Glendora) Open Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 4p.m.
Advocare Township Pediatrics (123 Egg Harbor Road, Suite 206 in Sewell)
The Unforgotten Haven and Berlin Township have teamed up to collect donations for those in Florida who have suffered from the effects of the recent hurricane. A truck is in place behind the Berlin Township Municipal Building on Route 73. Donations will be accepted at the municipal building during regular business hours. They will also be setting up some evening and weekend drop-off dates and times.
Special drop-off locations:
Mastery Charter Schools- McGraw Elementary (3051 Fremont Ave. in Camden) Collecting water only
Winslow Township Fire Department (9 Cedarbrook Road in Cedarbrook) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Collecting schools supplies only
Girl Talk Marlton (45 Lakeside Drive in Marlton) Leave donations in front of garage. Collecting feminine products only.
Kindly Kenniki is collecting school supplies and new backpacks only. The drop-off location is Yhanne’s House of Cheesecake (Berlin Mart Location) at 41 Clementon Road in Berlin.
The Hair Lounge at Studio 21 Beauty Bar (23 Central Ave. in Hammonton) Collecting diapers and pullups (all sizes) and wipes only.
Do It Duo for Pets is collecting pet food and supplies only. It is located near Columbus. Message them if you would like to donate: https://www.facebook.com/DoItDuoForPets/.
Misfit Angels has two drop-off locations collecting two different items:
Chris Flora Balka (Chestnut Inn, 1905 Woodbridge Ave. in Edison) Collecting cleaning supplies only (i.e., gloves, dust masks, bleach, buckets, mops, black contractor bags), as well as Joan Aponte (348 19th Ave. in Brick) Collecting bug repellent spray only.
South Jersey Homeschool Key Club is collecting specifically for babies and is in need of powdered formula, diapers and pullups in all sizes, and baby wipes. They are also collecting pet food and supplies that will be distributed to area shelters that have rescued animals from the Houston area. They have set up three collection sites. Donations can be brought to the main headquarters located at 7 Neils Court in Lumberton, the satellite location at 355 Fayann Court in Runnemede (bin provided inside driveway gate) and the satellite location at 716 Jersey Ave. in Gloucester City (leave donations in the bin on the deck).
