How to Help Ocean Twp. Fire Victims

UPDATE: (8/8 4:30 p.m.) Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the community, Fluff & Fold is no longer accepting clothing and toiletry donations. Gift cards and monetary donations are still being accepted at the Ocean Twp. Dept. of Human Services.

UPDATE: (8/7 2:15 p.m.) We're happy to report that Debo the dog has been found and returned to his owners. Thanks for everyone who helped in the search, now let's keep those donations coming in.

UPDATE: (8/6 11:30 a.m.)  There's some more information available about what donations are needed for Tuesday's Ocean Twp. fire victims, including how to make monetary donations, and where you can bring it all. The Ocean Twp. Dept. of Human Services is collecting monetary donations for the families. You can make checks payable to Community Hope Fund, and put "Twinbrook" on the memo line.

They are also asking for gift card donations in denominations of $50 or LESS for the following stores: Kohl's, Target, Marshalls, Applebees, Rite Aid, FoodTown, and Wegmans.

Financial and gift card donations will be accepted at the Ocean Township Department of Human Services, 601 Deal Rd. during the following times: Mondays - Thursdays 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Fridays 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

(UPDATE 8/6 1:15 p.m.) Kearny Bank on Rt. 35 in Oakhurst is now also accepting donations for the families.

(8/5 11:55 a.m.) A nasty fire ripped through 12 apartments in the Twinbrook Village complex in Ocean Township on Tuesday, leaving many residents with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Luckily, many in the community are already coming together to help their neighbors...and you can too

Fluff & Fold Laundromat and Dry Cleaning, 1013 Rt. 35 in Ocean (across from Wegmans) is hosting a clothing and supply drive for the approximately 20 families affected.

From today until this Sunday, August 9th, from 6 a.m.-midnight, you can drop off donations of clothing, toiletries, small household items, and other everyday items. There are approximately 15 kids among those in need, so kid's clothing and toys would also be greatly appreciated.

(At this point, there aren't any specific requests for sizes or specific items, but when I get that info, I'll pass it along.)

If you are able to donate anything, you can bring it directly to Fluff & Fold. They do ask that you include some kind of label with what you are donating (size and item description) so they can properly organize everything.

I also spoke to the Ocean Twp. Department of Human Services, and they are working to organize a monetary donation drive for the displaced residents.

Anyone in the area is also asked to keep an eye out for a dog that ran off after escaping the fire. The dog, Debo, is described as a friendly grey (blue) pit, last seen running in the area of Rt. 35 and Rt. 36. If you spot the dog, you are asked to call Debo's owners at 732-778-2483 or 908-208-4975. They lost everything in the fire, let's at least try to get their dog back!