Letters

This has been one of the busiest and most devastating hurricane seasons in recent history. The outpouring of compassion, support and prayers has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. I’d like to sincerely thank our generous donors for their support of The Salvation Army’s relief efforts on the Gulf Coast. In New Jersey alone, donor support for the Salvation Army’s relief effort amounted to more than $3 million which in part has helped to assist more than 1,260,000 hurricane victims.

And, as we move into the holiday season, I’d like to ask for your continued support of The Salvation Army. You see, needs in our local communities have risen by leaps and bounds and we anticipate they will continue to grow during the winter season as people are challenged by higher utility bills, the cost of affordable housing, and the cost of commuting. For some, food and heat may become a luxury rather than a staple of life.

Inevitably, giving declines after a major disaster but our local needs do not. I’d like to ask for your continued support from our donors when encountering our red kettle bell ringers or when receiving a mail solicitation. It is only with the public’s support we will be able to continue our programs for the needy in our communities.

Once again, thank you for your support of the Gulf Coast hurricane victims and please help The Salvation Army as we enter a critical fund-raising season that supports our programs all throughout the year.

Major Stephen Banfield

New Jersey State Commander

The Salvation Army

Union

N.J.'s coastline as fragile as New Orleans’

The tragic lessons learned from Katrina and Rita in the Gulf states should not be lost on New Jersey residents.

We have stark evidence now of what the cost of being unprepared will be when we face a major hurricane or coastal storm. The loss of life and property in the southern states has been staggering, and much of it could have been prevented with some forethought and a willingness to spend some money on prevention efforts.

In 2001, researchers and engineers estimated it would cost $14 billion to increase the height of the levees around New Orleans and to begin the restoration of marshes to limit the magnitude of hurricane-generated storm surges. The United States has now appropriated well over $60 billion in relief aid alone. Is there any doubt about the return on investment and benefit of coastal protection?

Fortunately, New Jersey received more funding than any other state for shore protection in the latest round of federal budget considerations. This funding is necessary to complete the work that has begun in many towns along the Jersey Shore to protect property, business, infrastructure and our vital tourism economy. But there are many more projects in communities that are still waiting for federal funding. Without this work, far more expensive repairs will have to be made after a severe storm.

Unfortunately, we are already hearing that for next year, New Jersey will need $30 million in federal funds to continue protection work and will receive only $10 million, unless there is a concerted effort to increase that amount. The state of New Jersey has had the foresight to provide a stable source of funding for $25 million for shore protection, but without federal dollars, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cannot move forward on these new projects.

It is also vital that we let our congressional representative know we support the reauthorization of the Water Resources and Development Act. The act establishes a priority for shore projects and reaffirms the commitment from the federal government for continued funding. Please join the Jersey Shore Partnership in supporting our congressional delegation in the fight for these issues.

The pristine shoreline of our coastal communities is a natural attraction to tourists who spend $16 billion a year in the four coastal counties and generate an additional $1.9 billion in taxes. Tourism is now the state’s second largest industry, generating $32 billion a year in revenues. Building protective beaches seems expensive, but the state receives a return on its investment that is many times greater than the cost.

Noreen Bodman

president

Jersey Shore Partnership

Sandy Hook

Center’s director pleads for blood donations

In recent years, New Jersey has had to “import” more than 50,000 units of whole blood annually because our population does not donate enough blood to cover the needs of New Jersey hospitals.

Our state faces an immediate shortage for select blood types, and this will likely be the case for the coming winter as inclement weather — snowstorms — could force the cancellation of scheduled blood drives.

In working to recruit current blood donors to donate more, we need to build a new generation of blood donors, for the ultimate goal of all New Jersey-based blood services is to create a self-sufficient and self-sustaining blood supply for New Jersey. January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month and a great time to start the new year off right with a blood donation that will help save lives.

Readers can donate through New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS). Interested readers and donors can call (800) 933-2566 or go on-line at www.nybloodcenter.org to locate blood drives convenient to their homes and workplaces. Donors must be 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. Healthy donors can actually donate whole blood every 56 days, while residents age 76 and older can donate if they have a physician’s permission.

Since 1973, NJBS has been running blood drives in New Jersey. Blood is our only business. To supply blood products to the hospitals we serve, NJBS runs blood drives seven days a week.

We also seek companies and organizations that want to hold blood drives in support of their community’s health. Interested parties can call (732) 220-7184 or (732) 220-7096. Help address our state’s blood supply shortage — donate today.

Maggie O’Shea

executive director

New Jersey Blood Services

New Brunswick

Letters Policy

Letters to the editor may be sent via e-mail to bulletin@gmnews.com. Please include a daytime telephone number where the author may be reached for verification. For more information, call (732) 358-5200, ext. 8351.