Point Pleasant Woman's 'COVID19 Response' Facebook Provides Help

POINT PLEASANT – A Point Pleasant woman has started a Facebook page to make sure the Jersey Shore gets the help it needs amid the outbreak.

Deanna Leist Aliano of Point Pleasant has started the group to provide a positive way to "make sure everyone in our Jersey Shore community gets the assistance they need."

"Please let us know if you know someone who needs food, shopping, childcare, or anything else during this crazy time," her page says.

And if you have something to offer, she says, please let us know that, as well. You can find the page right here.

Point Pleasant Boro has had a growing number of coronavirus cases. The town had 81 cases as of Monday, and Point Pleasant Beach had 22, according to the Ocean County Health Department. Read more: Latest Point Pleasant Coronavirus Updates: What You Need To Know

Point Pleasant Boro is not alone, however. Both Monmouth and Ocean counties have had among the highest number of cases in New Jersey. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Deanna told Patch that the site's purpose has "morphed" a bit, but it's general purprose is still the same.

"Instead of actually sending folks out to get food for anyone, we mostly share volunteer opportunities that are available through other group," she said.

In the beginning, she said, dealing with the oubreak was a bit chaotic and "no one knew what to do."

"Now there are several organizations that have plans and people in place," she said. "We’re still helping people find the resources they need, and helping each other get through all the emotions that we’re all going through right now."

Deanna wants to make sure that the work she does stays positive. She posted on the page a gentle reminder "that this group is about volunteer opportunities, where to get help if you need it, and funny, inspirational stories and memes. Please NO posts directly about the virus or treatments or statistics."

"We are trying to keep this a page that isn’t constant, upsetting information, where folks can feel free to browse through and not have to see all that," she wrote.

Deanna told The Asbury Park Press that she had been chatting about the idea with her friends. She told the Press that she works in medical billing for an ambulance company, but she knows how the job situation could change – especially with residents being alone.

"We have a lot of people who want to help, but not a lot of people asking," Aliano told the Press.