NJ National Guard Works throughout the Night to Help GI Go Fund Deliver Thousands of Emergency Supplies to Stranded Residents in Shelters Following Hurricane Sandy

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, residents of New Jersey are struggling to have their basic needs met. The worst natural disaster in the state's history has left its citizens reeling; with millions without power, homes damaged or lost, and families forced to seek refuge in shelters. But the men and women of the New Jersey National Guard are coming through for these afflicted residents, aiding in relief efforts by fellow New Jersey neighbors to help residents as they struggle to stay warm in shelters.

The National Guard provided assistance to the GI Go Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as the organization was providing relief to people in need following the storm. The Guard troops provided thousands of blankets to the GI Go Fund, who then provided them to people staying in shelters in the cities of Newark and Bayonne, NJ.

Members of the Somerset Armory worked together to store the thousands of blankets into the GI Go Fund's truck, thanks to the assistance of Sergeant First Class Coy and Sergeant First Class McLarty. The organization then took the blankets to the Newark Fire Department at 191 Orange Street and unloaded the blankets with the help of the Newark Firefighters and Newark Police Officers.

"This has been a tough time for us all. Everyone in the state is hurting. But the National Guard is helping us come together," said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. "We have our neighbors working with us to get us through one of the darkest times in our state's history. They were there for us when they volunteered to join the Guard; they were there for us when they deployed to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now they are here for us when we are in need. When people ask me where I'm from, it will forever give me great pride to say that I am from the state that is home to the New Jersey National Guard. We never leave anybody behind; we take care of our friends, our family, and our neighbors, and no storm will ever keep us down."

In addition, the GI Go Fund, along with the staff of Senator Frank Lautenberg, took blankets to residents of Bayonne, NJ who turned the Midtown women's coats Community School at 550 Avenue A into an emergency shelter. The organization also brought gloves, hats, scarves, and carpackages donated by Operation Gratitude.

The New Jersey National Guard has been tremendous in providing assistance throughout the state, helping millions of residents in New Jersey get through this time of unspeakable tragedy. Every resident of New Jersey is eternally grateful for what they have done already, and what they will continue to do to help get this state back on its feet.

"The work that the men and women of our National Guard have accomplished is nothing short of miraculous," said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. "This has been the most dire situation in the state's history. Significant loss of life, millions without power, incredible gas lines, and thousands of homes either damaged or completely destroyed. We are hurting, and in need of strong aid to get through the toughest of times. But these men and women have answered the call masterfully: rescuing people stranded in their homes, clearing roads of huge trees and down power lines, providing food and water to residents in shelters, and now helping us as we try to assist residents across the state stay warm during these hard times. We cannot thank them enough for all they have done when we needed them most."