Lend a helping hand

You may have read that a massive fire consumed an entire block of houses in Elizabeth this week, leaving 15 families homeless. There is an effort under way here in Summit to provide help for these families. The families are currently in temporary housing and will soon need rental assistance.

The current need is for funds to provide temporary rental assistance. St. John’s Episcopal Church in Elizabeth is collecting funds and will distribute them to the families. To help, please make out checks to St. John's Episcopal Church, marked "homeless fund". Mail to P.O. Box 278 Elizabeth, NJ 07207-0278.

Winter coats are also being collected for the Warm Heart Homeless Program through Saturday for delivery on Sunday to St John’s in Elizabeth. You can drop new or gently used winter coats for adults and children in Summit at 255 Morris Avenue (front or back porch - at the corner of Morris and Summit Avenues).

For more information or to help transport the coats, contact Kathy O'Leary, kathy-wargo@comcast.net