New Ways to Help Victims of Five-Alarm Fire

In the four days since Sunday's five-alarm fire in Orange that displaced dozens of residents, needs have changed. Residents of many surrounding towns, including South Orange, West Orange, Maplewood and Millburn, have donated countless items of clothing.  Firefighter Derrick Brown, Orange Fire Department Community Relations Coordinator said that, thanks to such donations, no more clothes are needed at this time and can't be accepted.

"What the families could really use," he said, "are gift cards." He suggested that those who wish to give donate gift cards to local supermarkets, such as Pathmark and Bravo, or general merchandise stores such as Target and K-Mart. Those donations can be dropped off at the Orange Fire Department in an envelope addressed to Derrick Brown.

In terms of household goods, Brown is busy collecting donated furniture, and he welcomes drop-offs of cutlery, kitchen goods, and towels. He can't accept used mattresses of any kind.

The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have been on the scene since Sunday, and have provided debit cards and found housing for many of the fire victims. Earlier this week, Orange Fire Department Chief Robert Manginelli encouraged the public to help by donating money to those organizations through their websites. Such assistance remains vital.

In addition, Trish Pellegrini of the Salvation Army notes that donations of non-perishable foods are also welcome. Those can be dropped off at the East Orange unit of the Salvation Army.

Brown is planning a Saturday gathering that will give families a chance to pick up grocery and gift cards, and to select the donated household goods they most need. After that, he noted, needs may change again. 

Salvation Army, 403 Main Street, East Orange, 973 672-0262

The Orange Fire Department, 419 Central Avenue Orange, NJ 07050 Contact: Derrick Brown, 973 420 2482.