More than two weeks after Tropical Storm Helene devastated parts of North Carolina, damaged infrastructure means some residents in remote areas are still stranded. Volunteer pilots, many from the Jersey Aero Club in Lakewood, NJ, have flown more than 15 tons of food, medicine, diapers, and even body bags to small airports in the southeast. Relief workers there then deliver the supplies using horses, ATVs, and helicopters.
The relief effort was started by a 29-year-old Toms River, NJ man, who wants to pay forward kindness shown to him.
Please note: The volunteers in Lakewood, NJ, are no longer soliciting donations of supplies; they are concentrating on distributing what has already been collected. They ARE looking for additional volunteer pilots to take supplies to North Carolina this month (October 2024). Contact Steve Adams of Jersey Aero Club at SteveAdams@IEEE.org

Jersey Aero Club https://www.njaeroclub.org/
Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Every April and October, Clean Ocean Action holds massive Beach Sweeps to rid the New Jersey Shore of all kinds of trash and debris. The nonprofit group has been advocating for the ocean for 40 years, and running Beach Sweeps for 39 years. (The fall 2024 date is October 19th.)

Thousands of volunteers come out to rid the beaches of bottle caps, cans, styrofoam, tires, and other garbage. Participants say they feel good not only about beautifying the land, but also protecting animals that may otherwise be harmed or killed from ingesting, or becoming entangled in, the debris. Clean Ocean Action's Debris-Free Sea Coordinator Kira Cruz explains.

Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps https://cleanoceanaction.org/beach-sweeps
Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @SandraLevineProd

Mary's Place by the Sea is a gorgeous wellness retreat in Ocean Grove, NJ, where women with cancer put their stress on pause to heal mind, body, and soul. Remarkably, all services are provided free of charge.

Mary's Place was co-founded by Michele Gannon in 2009, and has served some 15,000 women in the past 15 years. Women with cancer receive services including oncology massage, reiki, nutritional counseling, and much more. Most important, they connect and bond with other women facing similar challenges.

Each year, Mary's Place raises funds through a Walk-a-Thon and 5K Run on the Ocean Grove boardwalk. The 2024 event will take place October 12.

Mary's Place by the Sea https://www.marysplacebythesea.org/
Sandra Levine Productions https://sandralevine.com/

Watch Still Time for Joy as a video podcast on YouTube @sandralevineprod