Durand Masonic Lodge Praised in Point Beach

In the midst of our distress, five days after the "Storm of the Millennium," six wonderful young people from the Masonic Lodge (they said they were from Spotswood, NJ, and saw on their Masonic website that people in Point Pleasant Beach needed help) walked up to our flooded home on Forman Avenue and started helping us drag our treasured belongings out to the curb.

They worked for three hours, refused food, donations or even a letter or thanks to the lodge, and brought their own masks, gloves, water, good cheer and smiles to our house.

They cleaned out soaked basements and crawl spaces down our entire street and I have no way to thank them except through "The Patch."

When we were in our darkest hour, without power, heat or hot water, they lifted our spirits and need to be acknowledged somehow. Surely goodness, kindness and mercy should follow them all the days of their lives.

For this, and other acts of random kindness like Steve Reid bringing coffee and people walking up to us asking if we wanted a hot meal from St. Gregory's Pantry, we give thanks during this special holiday season as we try to return to "Normal," whatever that is now.

Robert O'Leary

Editor's Note: The volunteers recruited and coordinated by the Durand Masonic Lodge in Point Beach have been widely praised for cleaning out hundreds of homes around the greater Point Beach area. Were there neighbors, friends, volunteers or organizations that helped you before, during or after Sandy? Have you learned something new or created new relationships as a result of the storm? If so, please consider blogging about it for Patch under "Local Voices." Please read this if you're interested. Thank you!