Almost two weeks after Hurricane Sandy, and just days after a nor'easter hit Monmouth County, families still find themselves in need.

We've seen the images of destruction, and the images of hope. So many residents have already dedicated their money and time to rebuildng towns such as Union Beach and Keyport, but there is still more to be done.

Here are some ways you can help:

Volunteer

Beacon of Hope Center, Hazlet: The formerly vacant Childrens Wear storefront has been taken over and dubbed "The Beacon of Hope" by the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce by its members, who are behind it. Call 732-737-1836 or 732-740-3551 for information or questions. Connect to the NMCC Beacon of Hope to learn what the volunteers need now.

Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 3106 Route 35 South, at the Staples Shopping Center at Hazlet Avenue. All volunteers are welcome, just come in. Service hours are available for youth workers. 

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Highlands clean-up: Higlands, NJ is looking for people who are interested in cleaning out homes and moving debris for residents. Please click this link to sign up to help this weekend. If you plan to help this weekend you MUST sign up before 10 p.m. on Friday in order for the police to credential you to enter the town.

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Monmouth Racetrack: The Distribution Center is located to the left of the tents (the tents are for the shelter) by the ShopRite trailer. Volunteers will be putting meals, snacks, water and bags of ice into cars of people impacted by Sandy from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are interested or know of anyone that would like to volunteer please email me victoria@eliteeventmgmt.com  or call (732­) 688­-1772. 

175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757

Drop-Off Locations

Union Beach Borough Hall at Poole Avenue and Stone Road: Gratefully accepting non-perishable food, cleaning supplies and water

Holy Family School on Route 36 South in Hazlet: Accepting water and ice. 

Union Beach First Aid Building, Park Avenue is seeking medical supplies.

Kids Helping Kids Toy Drive, Manalapan: Collecting donations of toys for those kids who lost everything. Let your child choose one of their toys to donate, and let them come with you to drop it off.

Saturday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Meadow Creek Clubhouse, 301 Village Road in Manalapan.

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St. Mark’s Episcopal Church:

• Boots and coats, all genders/sizes
• Large size (3XX and 4XXX) women’s and men’s clothing
• Supermarket gift cards
• New socks and underwear, all genders/sizes (in the packages ONLY)
• Blankets
• Paper products (paper towels, bath/facial tissue)

29 Church Street, Keansburg, NJ 

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Beacon of Hope Center, Hazlet: Household cleaning (bleach, sponges, mops, laundry soap, dish soap, etc), non-perishable food, pet food, personal hygiene products (bath soap, tampons, powder, deodorant, toothbrushes/paste, etc), diapers - all sizes, but especially the larger sizes and pull-ups. Call 732-737-1836 or 732-740-3551 for information or questions.

3106 Route 35 South, at the Staples Shopping Center at Hazlet Avenue.

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Howell drop-off: All donations welcome, no clothing is needed at this time. Needs: Water / Cleaning Products/ Paper products / toiletries/ blankets / baby items / non persihable food items / batteries/ flashlights. Call 732-840-3535, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

St. William the Abbot Church, 2740 Lakewood Allenwood Rd, Howell, NJ 07731 

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Freehold Soccer League: holding a collection site at Opatut Park (Soccer -Side) Saturday, Nov. 10 between from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Participants will be loading the truck and heading to Keyport at 10:30 am.

The goal is to feed as many people as we can (first responders and people of the community) and hopefully put a smile on their face. Please do what you can, every little bit helps. Volunteers needed. To help organize the collection and loading of truck and or Help us down in Keyport. If you have an interest please contact:fundraising@freeholdsoccer.com 

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Freehold Think Tank: Item collection on Saturday, Nov. 10. People can mail gift cards to walmart or home depot or they can drop off batteries, flashlights, large industrial sheets of plastic, tarps, non perishable food, warm clothes, diapers warm socks. Call Lynette Barbieri for more information at 732-845-0005 or go to Thank Tank website.

If you have anything to add to our list, please comment with as many details as possible below.