Community Corner
Long Valley Bands Together to Help Family Who Lost Home in Blaze
Online, in-person donations being asked for and accepted by the community on behalf of Mergen family.
No more than 12 hours after a structure fire charred a Nestlingwood Drive home that displaced a family of four, Long Valley’s residents were working every angle to get their neighbors help.
The Mergen family, who watched as their two-story Colonial home fell victim to a quickly-spreading fire Tuesday night, has had a GoFundMe page constructed by a family friend. The current goal is for $2,500, but donations may continue to pour in once the goal is met.
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Due to the nature of the blaze, the Mergen family was only able to escape with the clothes on their backs. Along with the donation of Visa Gift Cards to help cover the costs of replacing items such as driver’s licenses and toothbrushes, the family could use clothing for the time being.
Needed are:
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- Women’s XS or Size 0 clothes, shoe size 7 or 7.5
- Girls size 12 clothes, shoes 5.5
- Men’s pants, waist 30 or 32; Medium shirt, shoes at least a size 11
- Clothing donations can be dropped off at 169 Naughright Road.
Bob’s Long Valley Pizza Deli & Bagel will also be setting up a donation jar and drop box at the restaurant Tuesday for anyone who would like to contribute there.
Riverside Health & Fitness Center on Rt. 57 will also be a drop-off location for donations.
Cold Stone Creamery in Hackettstown, owned and operated by Rich and Patricia Agnolet, will donate 15-percent of all sales from Wednesday and Thursday to the Mergen family as well.
At the bottom of Schooley's Mountain Road, two local businesses are also pitching in. Silver Birch Kitchens and the Little Cake Bakehouse will have a donation box set up Thursday for any household, clothing or gift card donations to the Mergen family. Anyone who chooses to donate can get a free peach lemonade and brownie. Both businesses will also be set up for the Long Valley Green Market from 3 to 7 p.m.
Are you a resident or business looking to contribute or help the family in need? Let Patch know by emailing jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.
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