Florham Park Local 78
provides Hurricane
Harvey relief
When tragedy strikes, New Jersey State PBA stands strong for
those in need. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which made
landfall in southern Texas on Aug. 25, Florham Park Local 78
launched a relief effort to aid those affected by the disaster. Pic-
tures of flooded neighborhoods and destroyed homes remind-
ed Local 78 of the result of Hurricane Sandy, which hit the Jersey
Shore in 2012. Just as New Jersey received outreach from states
and agencies across the nation, Patrolman Charles Greenstein
and Local 78 President Mike Neilan knew that their community
needed to provide for those faced with hard times in Houston.
With the help of Local 78 members, Florham Park Fire De-
partment and the town council, Local 78 organized the “Stuff-
a-Truck” relief effort that collected non-perishable food items,
bottled water, diapers and clothing donations for Houston.
“Our PBA put it together, and the community helped us,”
Greenstein stated. “It wasn’t just Florham Park. I couldn’t even
tell you how far it reached, but I know that people came from
Chester and all over Morris County to help.”
From Sept. 5 to 8, two 26-foot trucks were parked in the Flor-
ham Park Roller Rink lot, being filled with donations from law
enforcement and members of the community. Local 78, as well
as other Florham Park first responders and municipality mem-
bers, worked together to spread the word of the Stuff-a-Truck
relief effort that would travel the distance to aid a number of
communities.
“We filled one 26-foot truck in just four hours,” Greenstein
shared, stressing the number of helping hands that contribut-
ed.
The outpour of donations was so large that Local 78 has orga-
nized a shipment of overflow goods that will be sent to Florida
for those affected by Hurricane Irma. Greenstein and Neilan
departed for Montgomery, Texas on Sept. 8, along with Local 78
Chief Robert Treiber and Dan Bundschuh, who arranged their
schedules to make sure they had time to drive the trucks to Tex-
as for the delivery. The group of dedicated law enforcement of-
ficers traveled the 25-hour distance of more than 1,500 miles to
unload the donations at a warehouse in Montgomery County
that has become a crucial source of relief for individuals who
live in the area.
“They were extraordinarily gracious to have us. They couldn’t
say thank you enough,” Neilan explained, reminded of the sup-
port New Jersey received while beginning to rebuild after Hurri-
cane Sandy. “It’s just indicative of helping each other out. That’s
what we’re here for.” d
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