Middletown Helps Its Own continues holiday tradition

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Volunteers Sharon and Harold “Bud” Copeland sort canned food items at the Port Monmouth Veterans of Foreign Wars post Thursday in preparation for Middletown Helps Its Own holiday food basket distribution to needy township residents.

MIDDLETOWN — Helping its own is what Middletown Helps Its Own does best. And the longtime organization is doling out more of the same heaping helpings for this holiday season.

Founded in 1964 as a unifying umbrella under which all township charities could extend themselves more effectively, the group is still going strong today.

Current President Don Skrivanek said, "The idea came up when the editor of a local newspaper thought it would be a good idea to bring township-based charities together so that the community could make sure services reached everyone and duplication was avoided, too. Bringing seven or eight major, local charities together under one centralized organization seemed like the most logical solution then. And it’s worked very well. We’re still here today and getting things that are needed to those in need."

In fact, baskets went out to local families in need for the holidays on Dec. 22, according Skrivanek.

"The baskets will go to 249 families," he said. "There are five different sizes, depending on the size of the family. Each has turkey, canned goods and a variety of foods — enough for holiday dinner and weeks beyond that. Children will also get toys."

Everything was delivered on Dec. 22 to the families’ doorsteps by the members of the eight organizations that comprise the Helps Its Own charity.

Other community organizations, such as the schools and Scouts, also conduct drives for the group. "Recently the business community hosted a luncheon from which all the proceeds went to Middletown Helps Its Own for the holidays," Skrivanek said.

Holiday time is not the only time the charity performs its good. It works year round and gives to the needy in many ways — not just with seasonal food and/or toy donations.

"We offer emergency assistance for a variety of reasons," Skrivanek said. "We’ve paid gas bills, COBRA [health insurance payments], prescriptions, and other things. Thriving on donations alone, the nonprofit Middletown Helps Its Own also has a year-round clothing center at the old Port Monmouth train station where clothing is disbursed to anyone in need most any day."

Skrivanek, who has been involved with the organization since 1965 and has served as its president in 1969 and 1970, credits its long-term success with community spirit and cooperation that have endured.

"Because we are able to maintain the support of the community, we are able to keep it going," he said.