In the wake of the devastation caused by the storms that hit New Jersey last Wednesday a group of realtors in Maplewood got together to collect donations for the people who have been displaced.
Tejada Real Estate Group, which is made up of 9 realtors in total, used their headquarters as a drop-off location to collect food, clothing, toiletries and other essentials.
Peter Brandao, a realtor in the Tejada Real Estate Group was the one who got this movement started.
"People were left without warm food, clean water, and obviously clothes and everyday necessities," Brandao said. "The age groups of the victims range from newborns to the elderly. I have always been very active in helping out my community and finding out this was happening didn't sit well with me at all."
In addition to using their headquarters as a donation drop-off site, they also reached out to past clients, locals and mutual friends to secure more donations.
They had Chevys of Linden in partnership with Shanon Rose, Applebees, and Xcape Cafe from Newark put together over 800 hot meals which will be delivered on Wednesday, September 8, between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Elizabeth.
However, even with the outpouring of support and donations they have received, there is still a lot that these people need.
"These people need some items which can not be used, which range from womens' undergarments to kids' toothpaste and toothbrushes, even feminine products," Brandao said.
"Kids are starting school soon and have no uniforms or backpacks and school supplies. Most of these products have been bought out of our own pockets and we can only do so much."
Anyone who wished to donate can drop their donations off at Remax Select at 191 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood NJ 07040.
If anyone is interested in donating or volunteering they can reach out to Peter Brandao by phone at 973-634-2075 or by email at peterbrandaosells@gmail.com.