The office of Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy  announced today that it’s coordinating the relief effort for the 21 families who were victims of the devastating fire on Claremont Avenue that destroyed ten buildings on Easter Sunday.
The Mayor’s Office will be placing collection boxes at four city buildings and one private, residential building for residents to donate non-perishable food items, new and gently used clothing, toys, books, school supplies and other items for the 56 people left homeless by the fire, which includes 22 children, who lost everything in the 6-alarm blaze. A sixth collection box is being set up by the Soccer Learning Center to specifically collect items for the children.
“This is one of the worst fires our city has seen in recent years and we know there will be an outpouring from the community to support these families,” said Mayor Healy. “Our hearts go out to those affected by this tragic fire and we want them to know that their City is here to help and assist them in any way possible.”
In addition to city officials assisting in the effort to find new housing for the fire victims, Mayor’s Office staff is currently reaching out to retailers, supermarkets, and other businesses for food, clothing, and toy donations for the families. Any business owner who is interested in making an in-kind donation should contact the
Mayor’s Action Bureau at 201-547-4597.
Inserra Supermarkets will be giving gift certificates to the 21 families to use at Inserra ShopRites in the area with a minimum total donation of $5,000 or $250 per family.
The Healy Charitable Foundation will be donating $250 to each family, and the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency’s non-profit, One City Fund, will contributing ShopRite gift cards to the families.
Donation boxes will be located at the following locations beginning tomorrow morning:
City Hall, 280 Grove Street
1 Journal Square Plaza (at Cottage Street)
Mary Bethune Community Center
Pershing Field Community Center
Hamilton Square/Silverman Properties, 232 Pavonia Avenue
CERC Gym, 180 Ninth Street, vestibule outside of the gym (
children’s clothing, new toys or school supplies; Mondays 6:30 to 10:00 p.m., Tuesdays 3:00 to 6:30 p.m., Thursdays 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
