News and Events -- Superstorm Sandy Relief Efforts

BCCAP 's Annual Spring Gala Dinner and Fashion Show was held on Thursday, March 21st, 2013, at The Graycliff in Moonachie, NJ. Net proceeds will help Moonachie and Little Ferry local organizations and residents who were affected by Superstorm Sandy.

Fashions were modelled by Little Ferry Mayor Mauro Raguseo, Moonachie Mayor Dennis Vaccaro and 1st responders from their towns. Guest of Honor Pat Battle, NBC4 Anchor/Reporter spoke about the devastation she had witnessed in the towns, and the importance of keeping the rebuilding effort in the news. Special Guest Announcer, Giovanna Drpic, current host of "Money & Main$treet" on FiOS1, introduced the mayors and first responders as they walked the runway.

Bob Halsch, Executive Director at BCCAP with Giovanna Drpic.(Above)

Pat Battle with Allan De Giulio, BCCAP's Deputy Executive Director (Left)

Robert F. Halsch, Jr., Executive Director of Bergen County Community Action Partnership, Inc., received the 2013 Spirit of King Award as a “Leader of Excellence” presented by Rev. Dr. Vernon C. Walton, Pastor of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Englewood on Friday, January 18th.

The evening included a video highlighting Mr. Halsch’s unique service in furthering economic opportunities for all through his 30 years of leadership guiding Bergen County’s federally designated anti-poverty agency. In addition to a broad range of human service initiatives in the areas of child and adult education, housing and asset development, healthcare and energy efficiency, Bob’s noted career accomplishments have included: Founder and CEO of Community Housing in Partnership, Inc (CHIP), a HUD certified Community Housing Development Organization, real estate development company, which has developed affordable housing for persons with special needs, the homeless in transition, older adults, first time homebuyers and low-income renters. Co-Founder and Treasurer of 1st Bergen Federal Credit Union, the first federal credit union chartered in New Jersey in over 20 years, created to provide access to capital to the low-income and under-banked segments of the community.Founder and President/CEO, CAP Solar New Jersey LLC, a power company which specializes in reducing the electricity costs and decreasing the carbon footprint of not-for-profit corporations in economically distressed neighborhoods, by installing solar photovoltaic systems on the roof-tops of their operating facilities.

Moonachie/Little Ferry Relief Fund

IRS offering tax relief to Superstorm Sandy Victims

FEMA Disaster Assistance Phone Number

1. 1-800-FEMA (3262) for disaster assistance
2. Website for those able to access: www.disasterassistance.gov
3. Applying for Disaster Assistance FAQ: http://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance
4. Help after a disaster in multiple languages: http://www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster

State of NJ Hurricane Sandy Information Center

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990

Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance:

1. Phone Number: 1-800-659-2955
2. Website for those able to access: www.sba.gov/disasters
3. In need of volunteers? Reach out to the Church of Latter Day Saints in NJ (offered on the call) by contacting Brad Thatcher (917-304-4937, brad.thatcher@yahoo.com)

Shelter Locator: http://www.redcross.org/find-help/shelter

1. Phone Number: 1-800-REDCROSS.
2. For those with mobile devices: Text “Shelter + Your Zip code” to 4332.

Operation Hope (description of free services below):

1. Phone Number 1-888-388-HOPE (4673)

Disaster SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Information

1. Website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/disasters/response/D-SNAP_Handbook/guide.htm
2. D-SNAP Toolkit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/disasters/response/D-SNAP_Handbook/D-SNAP_Guidance_Handbook_Toolkit.pdf

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster:

1. http://www.nvoad.org/
2. State of New Jersey VOAD Contact:
   Cathy McCann, Chair 
   Community Food Bank of NJ
   31 Evans Terminal Road
   Hillside, NJ 07205
   cmccann@njfoodbank.org
3. State of New York VOAD Contact:
   Joann Hale, Interim Chair
   Church World Service
   chair@nyvoad.org

State Emergency Management Agency Contact for NJ and NY:

1. New Jersey State Police
   New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
   P.O. Box 7068, River RD
   West Trenton, New Jersey 08628-0068
   (609) 882-2000 ext 2700 Monday to Friday
   (609) 963-6900 Emergency
   (609) 963-6208 Mitigation
   (609) 671-0160 Fax  www.ready.nj.gov
2. New York State Emergency Management Office
   1220 Washington Avenue
   Building 22, Suite 101
   Albany, New York 12226-2251
   (518) 292-2275
   (518) 322-4978 FAX
   www.semo.state.ny.us/

OPERATION HOPE PROVIDES FINANCIAL RECOVERY SERVICES AFTER HURRICANE SANDY

Financial dignity nonprofit Operation HOPE begins financial triage for individuals effected by Hurricane Sandy. Through its disaster preparedness and recovery division, HOPE Coalition America (HCA), Operation HOPE announced today the availability for individuals and small business owners to call 888-388-HOPE (4673) for free information, guidance and assistance for loss associated with storm recovery. The services provided  include:    

● Disaster Recovery Budget

● Mortgage on a Destroyed Home

● Home Inspections and Repair Contracts

● Assistance with Working with Your Creditors

● Referrals to Government and Private Agencies

● Assistance with Obtaining Copies of Destroyed Documents

● Insurance Claims Assistance

● Completing Applications for Grants and Loans

 HCA is a collaborative effort that allows knowledgeable, responsible individuals employed in the regulated financial services industry to provide one-on-one assistance to individuals and families recovering from disasters.