Yurgelonis Family Hurricane Relief Page

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

90 Days...


Jaelyn ROCKING the BLUE for Union Beach today!

Today marks 90 days since hurricane Sandy devastated my hometown of Union Beach, NJ & most of the Jersey shore. Since then, Anna Yurgelonis & her family have been living an uphill battle, all the while remaining hopeful. About 1 month after the storm they moved into a rental home in Matawan, NJ. While they are grateful, safe & happy in this house, it will never be the home they lost on October 29th, the house they called home for 19 years: 708 Brook Avenue in Union Beach.

The whole 'Yurgelonis Gang' (minus their daughter Jessi & family) on Christmas day in their rental home.

The Yurgelonis family Christmas tree adorned with ornaments & cards sent to them from friends, family & strangers alike. Perfect strangers helped make their Christmas bright by donating wonderful gifts for everyone! Thanks to these 'Earth Angels', little Jaelyn Yurgelonis got to wake up on Christmas morning to presents under her tree just as she always has :)

Everyday is a roller coaster for the Yurgelonis family: on one turn they are struggling & battling with insurance companies to get the coverage they deserve & on another turn they are receiving so much support from friends, family & perfect strangers, or as Anna calls them: 'Earth Angels.'

Since I have created this blog, we have raised over $3,500 for the Yurgelonis family! While that is amazing & the family is beyond grateful, it is a mere fraction of what they need to get by, since the devastation.

Today on the 3 month anniversary of 'Sandy,' let's get the momentum going again & help make 2013 a hopeful year for the Yurgelonis family!

Also, mark your calenders for February 23rd at 6:00! A few 'Earth Angels' have organized a benefit for the family at the West Keansburg Fire Company! There will be a gift auction & a 50/50 raffle!!!
Here is the link to the Facebook Invite Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/322787737831446/

Please consider donating to help this very special family get back their life!

No amount is too small! Thank you so much!

Or if you prefer, Checks (made out to Anna Yurgelonis) & gift cards can be sent to me:

Yurgelonis Family Sandy Relief

c/o Lauren Hilburn

337 Upland Way

Drexel Hill, PA 19026

I will make sure all gifts get directly to the family! Thanks again!!!

Peace.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Jaelyn's holiday spirit...catch it!

What do you do when you're 7, you just lost your whole house & all of your stuff, moved into a 'strange new' house, & it's Christmas time? You worry that it won't be the same, that Santa won't find you, that maybe he'll forget because the house he has always come to is now gone...

The Yurgelonis family is doing everything they can to restore a little bit of 'normal' as they settle into their new house. Luckily they have their 7 year old grand-daughter Jaelyn to keep their Christmas (& everyday) spirits alive. They are fighting to rekindle as many traditions as possible so that she (& they) can experience new Christmas memories!

Jaelyn got to meet a little girl named Carolann who saw her family in the Asbury Park Press. Carolann read in the article that Jaelyn lost her snowglobe in the storm & she was determined to replace it for her. Her family contacted Anna & Charlie with Carolann's request. They were in awe of her generosity and arranged a meeting for the 2 girls. The 2 girls met & Carolann gave Jaelyn a new snowglobe. A true holiday story that Jaelyn & Carolann will always remember :)

Jaelyn was BEYOND thrilled to see that her Elf: "Charlie-boy" (Nana got her a new one just in time!) arrived as per usual in their new house!

Jaelyn was proud to put the shiny star on top of their tree to commence a new beginning for her family!

Jaelyn, as well as many others, has become quite inspired by her family's post-Sandy credo: "Angel's Gather Here."


The 1st ornament hung on the family tree symbolizes hope for the future.