Irene Flood Survivors Come Together for Anniversary

Wednesday marks one year since and . The anniversary was the reason for a picnic held at Lake Hiawatha's Volunteers Park attended by more than 50 flood survivors, township leaders and volunteers.

"We wanted to have everyone come together to show their resiliency," said Wendy Chin of Project Recover, an arm of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson that offered support services to those in Morris and Passaic counties affected by . "There is a hope and resiliency that I feel when talking to these people. They are finally starting to get into their homes or get the permits they need. That's something to celebrate!"

Her colleague Josephine Carmona agreed, telling the crowd, "This event is to celebrate "resiliency, hope, courage and deep, deep generosity."

The picnic was planned hurriedly over three days, in which Project Recovery and the owners of in Lake Hiawatha joined forces to recruit donors and volunteers to provide food for the event.

Landmark Floral's last Aug. 28 to help people flooded out of their homes, many of whom are still displaced, obtain the basic necessities they needed: clothing, cleaning supplies, food items and more. They did so from a vacant storefront adjacent to their store that served as a flood donation center through last November.

"We did all we could for them," said Terry Checke. "We had to—that's what people do when there's a crisis."

Her husband Adam is still at work helping others—with the assistance of his family—he offers a weekly "dollar store" on Boonton Avenue where he sells donated items to people in need for just a dollar.

"The need is so great, so great," he said. "What else are you going to but give? That's what we're put here for."

Checke said donations for the dollar store can be dropped off at Landmark Floral on North Beverwyck Road.

"The Checke family do an amazing job," said Chin. "Their dedication to their neighbors is just impressive."

According to Chin, the year gone by has meant extensive changes in the lives of flood survivors—and of the survivors themselves.

"They've been through so much to go through building and recovery," she said, noting that Project Recover's work in Parsippany ends Sept. 1. "They may have been angry initially, frustrated with the process. Now I see hope for the future in them.

They've been through the storm, and they know life will be good again."