Has your quality of life been affected because of back pain? You're not alone - Harvard Health tells us that almost 85% of people in the US have back pain so severe that they see a doctor at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, these problems often start small but end up becoming severe issues like sciatica. For active people and athletes, dealing with back pain isn't just compromising; it's life-changing.
And while many people will tell you that having a "back problem" is something you'll have to deal with for the rest of your life, that's far from the case. The good news is that seeing a chiropractor in Helmetta can provide you with the relief needed to live a healthy, active life without giving up the things you love most, like sports and spending time with your family.
Of the millions of Americans who suffer from back pain daily, many have found long-lasting relief through the same chiropractic care offered at NJ Sports Spine & Wellness. But what exactly is chiropractic care, and how does it help?
Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to overall wellness and healing that focuses on correcting issues with your musculoskeletal system. When performed by a licensed chiropractor, it can alleviate and even eliminate common problems such as:
To treat your conditions and help reduce your pain, chiropractors use time-tested, hands-on techniques to adjust your spine, neck, back, and other joints throughout your body to restore proper function, mobility, and alignment. Once your body is in proper alignment, it functions optimally, leading to improved overall wellness and health.
Unlike some sports rehab clinics in The Garden State, chiropractors from NJ Sports Spine & Wellness work with you one-on-one to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific goals and needs relating to your pain and ability to live a normal life. Because our team takes a holistic approach to healthcare, we cover all aspects of your health and wellness when developing your chiropractic treatment plan. That way, we increase your chances of living a fulfilling life free of pain and worry about throwing your back out.
Seeing a chiropractor can quite literally change your life for the better. According to the American Chiropractic Association, in general, chiropractic therapy is a more effective solution for back pain than other treatments like addictive pain pills, surgeries, and yoga. When combined with services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture, chiropractic care may be the key you need to open the door to a pain-free life.
Shedule An AppointmentSome of the many benefits of seeing a reliable, licensed chiropractor include the following:
Perhaps the most obvious reason to make an appointment with a chiropractor is for back pain relief. Some people only need to see a chiropractor when they have occasional back pain, such as when they wake up in the morning. Others, such as those who have been in serious car accidents, need regular chiropractic adjustments and therapies, which are often supplemented with techniques like physical therapy and acupuncture.
There are many causes of back pain that range from advanced conditions like having sciatica and herniated discs to everyday issues like poor posture and sleeping in a harmful position. Your chiropractor's job is to pinpoint the cause(s) of your back pain and build a customized plan to address your musculoskeletal conditions. Once that happens, pain relief follows shortly after.
At New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, we craft personalized chiropractic plans for every patient we treat, with the goal of avoiding harmful surgeries and addictive medicines.
If you've never experienced a headache in your life, you're exceedingly rare. Just about every American will suffer from a headache at some point or another. For some, headaches only happen occasionally and are not much more than an annoyance. For others, headaches evolve into crippling migraines that can affect quality of life, ability to work, and much more.
If you find yourself digging into a bottle of Aspirin or something stronger when you have a headache, it might be time to visit an NJSSW chiropractor.
Do you wake up in the morning feeling like you didn't sleep a wink the previous night? Do you have to take sleep aides like Ambien in order to drift off to dreamland? If you have chronic back pain, getting a full night's rest is easier said than done. From misaligned spines to improper sleeping posture, your chiropractor in Helmetta can use manipulation therapy and other techniques to boost blood flow and align your vertebrae, so your body can heal itself and help you rest better.
One of the best things about seeing your chiropractor is that when your session is over, you often feel great. The pain relief feels phenomenal. When you're not in pain, you have a more positive outlook on life, and often enjoy better sleep, blood pressure, and even sexual relations. It makes sense, then, that chiropractic care has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety, which promotes relaxation and improved mental health.
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, we work with a long list of athletes who suffer from sports injuries and other problems that can manifest from being active. For professional athletes, having a trustworthy chiropractor to care for them is needed for their careers. But you don't have to be a pro athlete to benefit from chiropractic care. Ordinary people that enjoy active lifestyles can reap tremendous rewards through chiropractic care, such as improved range of motion and relief from compressed discs.
Whether you enjoy impromptu games of tag football or simply want to play with your kids, seeing a chiropractor can help you be healthy and active without fighting back, neck, and joint pain. That's especially true when chiropractic therapy is used in conjunction with acupuncture, physical therapy, or occupational therapy.ies and addictive medicines.
Your NJ Sports Spine & Wellness chiropractor in Helmetta may use a range of techniques to restore function and alignment in your body. Some of the most common techniques our chiropractors use include:
Life has a habit of being unexpected. Sure, some surprises only hurt your bank account, like last-minute renovations in your home. But severe incidents, like car accidents, can inflict physical injuries that cause you long-term pain. These problems, like neck and back injuries, affect many Americans daily. Even worse, many hardworking people turn to risky surgeries and addictive pain medications, only to find themselves deep in a hole that seems impossible to get out of.
If you suffer from serious range-of-motion issues or you're in chronic pain, it's important to know that you have treatment choices. You don't have to put your health at risk to relieve your pain. One of the most successful non-invasive treatments offered for pain is physical therapy. The main goal of physical therapy is to restore movement and function to patients affected by illness, injury, or disability.
Physical therapists work with patients of all ages and abilities, from children to elderly adults, to help them overcome physical limitations and improve their quality of life. At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our physical therapists help treat a wide range of conditions, from neck pain and spinal cord injuries to back pain and arthritis.
Once our PTs have made headway, they will often use our chiropractic therapy to provide the patient with more relief. Having the option of both chiropractic and physical therapy is often very effective, because your chiropractor in Helmetta can address nerve irritation and joint dysfunction while your physical therapist helps retrain your musculoskeletal system, allowing your body to heal faster.
Some of the biggest benefits of using physical therapy along with chiropractic care include:
Occupational therapy, or OT, is to help patients of all ages and abilities engage in activities of daily living, or ADL. Often, that means helping patients reclaim the ability to continue working, going to school, accomplishing day-to-day tasks, or other activities common to daily living.
Occupational therapy can benefit individuals going through many conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries, strokes, spinal cord injuries, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and chronic pain. The end goal of occupational therapy is to help patients achieve the maximum level of independence and participation in their daily lives. If pain, discomfort, weakness, fatigue, or fear prevent you from participating in activities you love, an OT from NJ Sports Spine & Wellness could become the MVP of your wellness journey.
To give our patients the most complete pain relief and recovery options, our doctors and practitioners will often lean on the expertise of both a physical therapist and a chiropractor in Helmetta. By working together, your PT, OT, and chiropractor can provide you with a comprehensive approach to total-body functionality, from your spine and joints to your mind and range of motion.
Some of the most common benefits of using OT with chiropractic care include:
Acupuncture boosts your body's functions and helps improve its ability to heal through anatomic site stimulation - usually called acupuncture points or acupoints. To stimulate these points, acupuncturists at NJ Sports Spine & Wellness insert fine, sterile needles into your skin. Most patients don't feel any pain as needles are applied. Typically, needles are left in the skin up to 30 minutes. After your session, it's normal to feel incredibly relaxed.
While some practitioners still adhere to traditional philosophies, modern acupuncturists take an integrative approach to the therapy. Today, professional acupuncturists use these techniques to stimulate your body's natural healing and pain-fighting processes. When coupled with personalized care from a chiropractor in Helmetta as well as physical or occupational therapy, you can find real relief from the physical and emotional roadblocks holding you back. Some of the most reported benefits of acupuncture treatment include:
During an acupuncture session, you may feel a slight sensation of warmth or tingling at the needle's site of insertion. Generally speaking, acupuncture is painless and perfectly safe for you to consider. In fact, many practitioners and doctors recommend combining acupuncture with other treatment options like chiropractic adjustments.
Though acupuncture and chiropractic therapies come from different origins, both include non-invasive, holistic, and gentle approaches that don't require drugs to work. They also both facilitate total-body healing by addressing the underlying causes of your symptoms - not just the symptoms themselves.
Because acupuncture is known to release endorphins and improve blood flow, having a session prior to a chiropractic adjustment can be very beneficial. That's because, after acupuncture, your muscles are less stiff, more relaxed, and easier to adjust effectively. Over time, as you combine acupuncture and chiropractic therapy, you'll benefit from less inflammation and less pain as you heal from injuries or musculoskeletal conditions. That same truth applies to patients who undergo serious chiropractic adjustments.
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our staff consists of licensed and highly-trained professionals, including specialists focusing on:
Every member of our team believes that the path to wellness and a pain-free life begins with customized treatment plans that cater to your needs and body. Unlike some chiropractors in Helmetta, we do not treat on-the-surface symptoms with one-size-fits-all therapies. We do not rely on powerful pain medications to mask your pain or invasive surgeries that require weeks of recovery. Instead, we address the root causes of your pain so that we can help you live the happy, healthy life you're craving.
To achieve that goal, we'll conduct an in-depth evaluation to learn about your medical history. We'll also perform diagnostic tests and speak with you one-on-one to get a better sense of your needs. From there, we'll recommend the therapies that can give you a new lease on life and be there for every milestone you hit.
If you're fed up of living with the limits of pain and lack of mobility, we're here to help you break free. Contact our office today to get started.
Though weakened to tropical storm status early Sunday, Henri left his mark on the Central Jersey area with flooding, a sinkhole, power outages, downed trees and the cause of several accidents.Even in its weakened state, Henri still packed wind gusts of up to 75 mph in some areas as it started a route up the northeastern coastline, along New York's Long Island and southern New England.A flood watch continues in the area through Monday morning, with periods of heavy rain expected through Sunday night as Henri passe...
Though weakened to tropical storm status early Sunday, Henri left his mark on the Central Jersey area with flooding, a sinkhole, power outages, downed trees and the cause of several accidents.
Even in its weakened state, Henri still packed wind gusts of up to 75 mph in some areas as it started a route up the northeastern coastline, along New York's Long Island and southern New England.
A flood watch continues in the area through Monday morning, with periods of heavy rain expected through Sunday night as Henri passed to the east. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are forecast with locally higher amounts possible. The warning added that flash flooding also may occur and on some of the main stem rivers and large creeks, there may be significant banks rises or flooding.
Gov. Phil Murphy called Tropical storm Henri "largely a rain event," that was going to continue with winds possibly increasing.
"It is less than we had feared and less than places like Rhode Island are getting, but there is still a significant concern about rainfall, flash flooding and a flood watch is in effect for the entire state until tomorrow," Murphy said Sunday afternoon. "We are dealing with Mother Nature. We do everything we can to stay ahead of it and on top of it."
Murphy also acknowledged power outages, but deemed them less than expected.
The storm was not deemed a state of emergency, he said, noting "all those options are still on the table."
"We will do whatever we need to do ahead of it, during it or after it to make sure we keep as many people safe and on their feet as possible," Murphy said.
Helmetta, a borough in Middlesex County, was hit particularly hard with flooding Sunday. But throughout the day, the "outpour of support" from nearby towns and first responders has been "quite remarkable," Mayor Chris Slavicek said.
Helmetta was at the bull's-eye of the heavy band of rain that spiraled in the circulation of Henri. In the 24 hours ending at 9 a.m., Helmetta's 6.7 inches of rain was the most of any Central Jersey town, according to the Office of the New Jersey Climatologist at Rutgers University.
The heaviest rain was centered in central Middlesex County. East Brunswick recorded 4.25 inches while North Brunswick had 4 inches.
In Somerset County, Hillsborough recorded 3.23 inches and in Hunterdon, Flemington had 4 inches.
Flooding was the cause of most of the problems, shutting down streets, causing sink holes and weakening foundations. There were power outages as well, but not widespread. As of Sunday at 3:30 p.m., about 1,774 were reported without power by JCP&L with another eight reporting an outage by PSE&G in Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union counties.
Story continues below video
The southern portion of Middlesex County received heavy rainfall over the early morning hours, causing flooding to several roads in Helmetta, South Brunswick, Monroe, Cranbury and Milltown.
In Somerset County, towns that reported flooding included Franklin and North Plainfield, while Union said Linden was hit with flooding.
Story continues below gallery
Residents were asked to stay off the roads and limit any travel Sunday morning.
In Helmetta, the Office of Emergency Management ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents and businesses on several streets including Railroad Avenue, John Place, John Street and Willow Street due to severe flooding. This is an area that is often hit hard by storms and hurricanes.
When Annie Dent left her home just before 7:30 a.m., en route to a training class for her job, John Street was bone dry.
“Nothing was wrong. There was no flooding. I drove out perfectly fine,” Dent said.
An hour and a half later, she received a frantic call from her daughter, at home on John Street: "Mom!," she said. "My car’s about to be stuck in a flood!"
John Street resident Michael Furey woke up to a flood alarm at 4:30 a.m., but said it was hours before the first flood waters could be seen.
"At nine o’clock, I came out of the house and the water was just cascading down the street, growing higher and higher," said Furey, living through his fourth flood on the street in 17 years.
The area is in a flood plain, but Furey blames the flooding not on the rain from Henri but on man-made errors, like flood gates that weren’t opened properly and old, collapsing drain pipes.
"This is all sandy dirt," he said, motioning to the tan brown sediment in the flood waters, which he believes came from construction sites in nearby Monroe and Cranbury.
"There’s a lot of construction going on in Monroe — look at Cranbury Road, (Route) 130. And everything over there is flooding," he said. "The towns don’t talk to each other, the committees don’t talk to each other, the developers don’t talk to each other. There’s no foresight."
According to the Helmetta Fire Department, there was a partial foundation collapse at a home at 38 John Street that occurred while removing evacuees. No injuries were reported.
All residents in the area were advised first to evacuate to the Helmetta Community Center on Brookside Place for shelter. Later, they were taken to Spotswood High School. Those in the Railroad Avenue section were advised to stay in their homes and await evacuation assistance from the OEM.
Helmetta's mayor said all residents were rescued safely and they were now working on getting pets out of homes.
"We are currently at a standstill," Slavicek said at 12:50 p.m. "Water has risen to nearly cover windows of cars. There is an abundant amount of homes that have water on the first floor. We are on the edge of our seats because high tide is coming in the next half hour. And we are supposed to get more rainfall from the storm."
The Middlesex County Fire Marshall also requested available water rescue teams to the area of the Helmetta firehouse to help evacuate the homes. A command post was set up at Main Street and Willow Street, across from the affected area.
Near to this area, Main Street in Helmetta closed near Allegiance Garden Center due to severe flooding.
READ:Memorial service will remember victims of Central Jersey floods
Not far away, at the border of East Brunswick and Spotswood, the intersection of Summerhill Road and Old Stage Road was closed due to a sinkhole.
Around 7:40 a.m. Sunday morning, Monroe Police reported the township was under a state of emergency as multiple roads were flooded and impassable. Several vehicles were reportedly stuck and had to be rescued. Shelters were being opened for residents of Monroe and Jamesburg.
In Rossmoor Village, an adult living community off Forsgate Drive, evacuations also were underway for impacted residents. As of 10:45 a.m., approximately 40 residents were rescued and were taken to the clubhouse.
Mayor Stephen Dalina said power restoration in Rossmoor will be delayed in the flooded areas because the homes need to be inspected by code officials and electricians. Monroe Township Construction Officials and JCPL are on the scene and will be in the coming days, he said.
"Since this morning, I have been in Rossmoor and throughout the township and visited the emergency shelter," said Dalina, who asked that residents stay off the roads. "There are severe flooding impacts throughout the township, particularly in areas of Rossmoor. In some areas, flood waters are beginning to recede, but many major roadways are still closed and completely flooded. Conditions are likely to worsen this afternoon and overnight as flood waters move through the town and waterways begin to crest. Additional rain is predicted overnight. Surrounding communities are also flooded with impassible roads making travel unsafe throughout the area."
Dalina said Monroe opened an emergency shelter at the Monroe Township Senior Center on Halsey Reed Road for those those who have been flooded, without power, and anyone who needs assistance. Currently, 10 residents from Rossmoor are being cared for there. Families also can reunite with their loved ones here.
Closed roads in Monroe included:
In East Brunswick, the fire department reported a basement filled with water and a collapse on Van Hise Court. The home was also filling with natural gas, so the fire department requested evacuating neighboring homes.
In Jamesburg, a car was stuck in the water near East Railroad Avenue while in Plainsboro, police reported two cars stuck in the water with three people inside on Pheasant Hollow Drive and Dey Road.
Closed roads in South Brunswick included:
In Milltown, police reported Washington Avenue near post office was flooded and closed.
In Sayreville, police reported the partial foundation collapse of a home on Ciecko Court.
Somerset County's Franklin was hit by flooding, with South Middlebush Road between Jacques Lane and Blackwells Mills Road closed as a result.
In North Plainfield, Route 22 westbound and West End Avenue were closed due to flooding waters over the Jersey barrier.
In Union, Linden police said road flooding at Route 1 southbound at Woodlawn Avenue which resulted in two lanes being closed.
Despite the torrential overnight downpour, most rivers in Central Jersey stayed within their banks.
The South Branch of the Raritan River at Neshanic Station crested at 15.13 feet around noon, according to the National Weather Service. The river had risen 10 feet in just seven hours.
In Middlesex County, the Lawrence Brook at Route 18 in East Brunswick peaked at 18.6 feet, six inches below the height recorded during Floyd in 1999.
At noon Sunday, though the Raritan and Millstone rivers were near flood stage, there was little flooding in the usual flood-prone spots. Blackwells Mill Road between Hillsborough and Franklin was flooding but no flooding was reported in the Lost Valley section of Manville.
However, that did not mean Central Jersey was out of the woods. With more rain expected, the National Weather Service is predicting the Raritan River at Bound Brook to crest at about 28.3 feet at around midnight Monday. By comparison, the river reached 42.3 feet during Floyd.
Staff writers Mike Deak and Mike Davis contributed to this report.
email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin.
HELMETTA – A state appellate court has upheld a Superior Court ruling that reversed the borough's denial of a plan to construct 70 age-restricted homes on High Street.According to the ruling, the decision of the borough's Land Use Board "was arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable" because it declined 15 High Street LLC's offer to revise its plan in response to concerns raised by the board and residents."We are satisfied the board abused its discretion by declining to respond to (15 High Stree...
HELMETTA – A state appellate court has upheld a Superior Court ruling that reversed the borough's denial of a plan to construct 70 age-restricted homes on High Street.
According to the ruling, the decision of the borough's Land Use Board "was arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable" because it declined 15 High Street LLC's offer to revise its plan in response to concerns raised by the board and residents.
"We are satisfied the board abused its discretion by declining to respond to (15 High Street's) offer to revise its development plan," the appellate panel wrote in its seven-page decision.
15 High Street LLC filed an application in June 2019 to build 72 age-restricted units in four buildings on the property. The developer reduced the number of units to 70 and added parking in response to board members' questions.
But when the Land Use Board denied the plan, the developer then sued in Superior Court, alleging board members disregarded expert testimony.
More:Here are the latest home sales in the Central Jersey real estate market
The lawsuit argued that the developer provided testimony from a professional engineer, a traffic expert, an architect, a professional planner and an economist in support of the application.
"The testimony of the plaintiff's experts was uncontroverted and accepted by the board's professional who posed no objections to the plan," the lawsuit argued.
The lawsuit also contended board members failed to follow state law, instructions of the board's attorney and failed to articulate any valid reasons for its denial.
After a trial, Superior Court Judge Thomas McCloskey issued a "comprehensive" 42-page decision that reversed the board's decision.
McCloskey ruled the board could "only require reasonable conditions" in its approval of the plans.
But the borough disagreed and, in its appeal, argued that McCloskey erred and "improperly substituted his judgment" in approving the project.
In upholding the judge's decision, the appellate court wrote that although a land use board may reject an applicant's expert testimony, it must do so in reliance on contrary testimony rather than "bare allegations or unsubstantiated beliefs."
"A resolution relying on comments and concerns from board members or local residents will not satisfy a board's obligation to ground its decision on evidence presented in a hearing," according to the appellate court ruling.
Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Middlesex County's REPLENISH staff in conjunction with the Feeding Middlesex County Board honored local businesses, organizations, and individuals for their work as Hunger Action Heroes in honor of Hunger Action Month. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISHPhoto Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISHNew Life Food Pantry's Executive Director Kristen Tabert received the 2023 Tom Ellison Food Pantry Volunteer Award on September 7 for her work as a Hunger Action ...
Middlesex County's REPLENISH staff in conjunction with the Feeding Middlesex County Board honored local businesses, organizations, and individuals for their work as Hunger Action Heroes in honor of Hunger Action Month.
Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISH
Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISH
New Life Food Pantry's Executive Director Kristen Tabert received the 2023 Tom Ellison Food Pantry Volunteer Award on September 7 for her work as a Hunger Action Hero.Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISH
By Dawn Miller
Last UpdatedSeptember 10, 2023 at 5:36 PM
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ - September is Hunger Action Awareness Month and the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners have awarded four Hunger Action Heroes at their September 7 meeting, according to a press release from Middlesex County.
The recipients were recognized for their "innovative and impactful efforts" working with REPLENISH. REPLENISH is Middlesex County's food distribution organization. The following individuals, corporations and organizations were honored for their contributions by the REPLENISH staff in conjunction with the Feeding Middlesex County Board.
Edison's Topgolf received the 2023 Corporate Hunger Hero award. Miriam O'Hare received the 2023 Community Hunger Hero Award for her work with Rows for the Hungry. Peter Barcellona was tapped for the 2023 Government Hero Award as the chair of We Feed Woodbridge. Kristen Tabert received the 2023 Tom Ellison Food Pantry Volunteer Award for her work as the Executive Director for Helmetta's New Life Food Pantry. Tabert is also the Parish Administrator for St. George's Anglican Church in Helmetta, which houses the New Life Food Pantry on its campus.
Sign Up for FREE Milltown/Spotswood Newsletter
Get local news you can trust in your inbox.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Tom Ellison Volunteer Award is dedicated to the memory of Tom Ellison. Ellison was the REPLENISH warehouse manager for a decade. He passed away in March 2020.
For additional information about Middlesex County's REPLENISH or for volunteer opportunities, visit its webpage on the Middlesex County website.
Middlesex County's REPLENISH staff in conjunction with the Feeding Middlesex County Board honored local businesses, organizations, and individuals for their work as Hunger Action Heroes in honor of Hunger Action Month. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISHPhoto Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISHNew Life Food Pantry's Executive Director Kristen Tabert received the 2023 Tom Ellison Food Pantry Volunteer Award on September 7 for her work as a Hunger Action ...
Middlesex County's REPLENISH staff in conjunction with the Feeding Middlesex County Board honored local businesses, organizations, and individuals for their work as Hunger Action Heroes in honor of Hunger Action Month.
Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISH
Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISH
New Life Food Pantry's Executive Director Kristen Tabert received the 2023 Tom Ellison Food Pantry Volunteer Award on September 7 for her work as a Hunger Action Hero.Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy of Middlesex County's REPLENISH
By Dawn Miller
Last UpdatedSeptember 10, 2023 at 5:36 PM
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ - September is Hunger Action Awareness Month and the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners have awarded four Hunger Action Heroes at their September 7 meeting, according to a press release from Middlesex County.
The recipients were recognized for their "innovative and impactful efforts" working with REPLENISH. REPLENISH is Middlesex County's food distribution organization. The following individuals, corporations and organizations were honored for their contributions by the REPLENISH staff in conjunction with the Feeding Middlesex County Board.
Edison's Topgolf received the 2023 Corporate Hunger Hero award. Miriam O'Hare received the 2023 Community Hunger Hero Award for her work with Rows for the Hungry. Peter Barcellona was tapped for the 2023 Government Hero Award as the chair of We Feed Woodbridge. Kristen Tabert received the 2023 Tom Ellison Food Pantry Volunteer Award for her work as the Executive Director for Helmetta's New Life Food Pantry. Tabert is also the Parish Administrator for St. George's Anglican Church in Helmetta, which houses the New Life Food Pantry on its campus.
Sign Up for FREE Milltown/Spotswood Newsletter
Get local news you can trust in your inbox.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Tom Ellison Volunteer Award is dedicated to the memory of Tom Ellison. Ellison was the REPLENISH warehouse manager for a decade. He passed away in March 2020.
For additional information about Middlesex County's REPLENISH or for volunteer opportunities, visit its webpage on the Middlesex County website.
The sun was strong Monday afternoon, as John Street residents came in and out of their homes, lugging water-ruined items to the curbside.Nearly every home on the street had a bright orange notice taped to the front door, warning that the home was not safe for occupancy.Sue and Bob Savage were among the 200 Helmetta residents displaced Sunday mornin...
The sun was strong Monday afternoon, as John Street residents came in and out of their homes, lugging water-ruined items to the curbside.
Nearly every home on the street had a bright orange notice taped to the front door, warning that the home was not safe for occupancy.
Sue and Bob Savage were among the 200 Helmetta residents displaced Sunday morning by floodwaters caused by Tropical Storm Henri.
“I saw the murky brown water like an ocean and I woke him up, I said, ‘We’re in trouble,”” Sue Savage said from a rocking chair on the couple’s front porch.
Even Monday afternoon, their basement was still full of water, Bob Savage said.
“Everything floated away,” he said.
They spent the night at a nearby hotel after heeding the mandatory evacuation warnings; residents are allowed inside their homes during the days, but cannot stay there overnight.
A Red Cross disaster aid truck drove down the street, with a megaphone advertising free disaster cleaning kits. The Savages had taken them up on that offer, and medium-sized brown box full of cleaning supplies sat next to their rockers.
The organization set up a base of operations Monday at the Helmetta Community Center where it was hading out the cleanup kits and supplies and also meals for people affected by the floods.
Our volunteers are out in Middlesex County communities like Monroe, Spotswood and Helmetta, checking in with and distributing clean-up supplies to families affected by flood waters caused by Tropical Storm #Henri. pic.twitter.com/8DCj2TRVYm
— Red Cross New Jersey (@NJRedCross) August 23, 2021
“People can come here to pick them up and the mayor was going to deliver meals tonight to affected neighborhoods door to door,” Red Cross New Jersey Spokeswoman Diane Concannon told NJ Advance Media.
The plan, Concannon said, was to have a service center event on Wednesday at the center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for anyone in the Middlesex County area that was displaced by the storm.
“We will have supplies and other non-profits will be there to assist families,” she said.
Red Cross volunteers were also helping at the Monroe Senior Center, which was opened up by the local office of emergency management. Concannon said a few families were still there and that it would remain open for anyone in the area who was impacted and had nowhere to go.
Sue Savage said Sunday’s storm in Helmetta was not her family’s first.
“This is our third flood, so it’s kind of like, ehhh,” Sue Savage said. “You can tell whose first flood this is, though. They’re freaking out.”
John Street runs through a neighborhood parallel to the rail road tracks, the area of Helmetta that saw the most damage during Sunday’s storm.
Gov. Phil Murphy said he spoke to President Joe Biden on Saturday and FEMA officials on Sunday in an effort to begin the federal aid process for towns hit hard by the storm.
“I saw Helmetta on the cover of national news this morning, and not for the reasons they want to be,” Murphy said during a press conference in nearby Monroe Township Monday morning.
Concannon said families in other counties heavily affected by flooding, such as Passaic, Bergen and Somerset counties, could reach out to Red Cross for assistance if they were displaced.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com.
Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.