When the 5 alarm blaze in the West End section of Long Branch on February 13th left over 40 victims homeless, the people of Long Branch and the surrounding communities stepped up to the plate in a fashion that can only make you proud to be from New Jersey. Bruce Springsteen’s new single off his brand new album is “We Take Care of Our Own” and that was so evident at a fundraiser Wednesday night at The Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch. Many restaurants, liquor and wine purveyors stepped up to the plate to raise needed funds for the displaced residents of West End. It was a night that gave me chills, to have the event sell out, to see the employees of The Ocean Place Resort and Spa working the room for free, the restaurants putting out samples of their signature dishes, the people in attendance buying 50/50 tickets and lots of chance auction tickets and to watch Long Branch Trolley donate not one auction trip in the only live auction but three to a those who wanted to spend. As Sue, a victim of the fire, got up to thank everyone for the support, the room welled up from the outpouring of thanks that she expressed. It was a beautiful night,  it was the only place I wanted to be that night. Thanks to all those who contributed to the cause, it truly makes me proud to be from New Jersey. Check out this video that my friends at NJ Discover put together.

If you would like to help donations are still be accepted at:

The West End Fire Relief Fund

c/o Central Jersey Bank

627 Second Avenue

Long Branch, NJ 07740

Attn: Carol Feldman

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