For Immediate Release:

November 3, 2012

 

Mini-airlift brings relief items to Monmouth County from Hampshire County, Massachusetts

 

FREEHOLD, NJ -- Five twin engine planes landed at Monmouth County Airport in Wall Township on Saturday, Nov. 3, carrying emergency supplies to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy throughout Monmouth County.

 

The planes, which left Northampton Airport in Massachusetts Saturday morning, came equipped with 200 blankets, 1,000 12-hour glow sticks, 70 tarps, and a supply of warm jackets and soap. The relief efforts were organized by Deputy Sheriff David Fenton, crime prevention officer with the Hampshire County (MA) Sheriff’s Office.

 

After seeing television images of the destruction along the Jersey shore, members of the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office wanted to help make a difference. They turned to the Northampton Airport for assistance. “They rallied their flight community, and provided the planes and pilots,” said Hampshire County Deputy Sheriff David Fenton. “It’s amazing what people will do when other people need help.”

 

 The blankets were donated by Berkshire Blanket Company, the tarps by Home Depot, R.K. Miles and Wal-Mart in Northampton, MA. The glow sticks were donated by the National Sheriff’s Association, which also donated $300 to help offset the cost of aviation fuel for the trip.

 

“This is an outstanding example of how the law enforcement community reaches beyond boundaries to assist one another in time of need,” said Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Monmouth County extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the Deputy Sheriff Dave Fenton, Sheriff Robert

 

Garvey and the pilots and businesses of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, that made this relief effort possible.”

 

The goods will be dropped off at Monmouth County’s donation center at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Rd., in Lincroft, and will then be distributed to municipalities in need.

 

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