When Jennifer Goodwin was visiting her friends in Oakland NJ, she had no idea what was about to happen… The flood crashed through town over the weekend and by Monday, Jennifer had created a cutting edge, web-based emergency response system for over 300 families in Oakland. FEMA is still trying to find out her secret web technology!

Extending her stay throughout the recovery process, Jennifer grew to love Oakland as her own hometown. “I’m still here and I can’t leave. I love the town and the residents I’ve made friends with along the way. There is something magical about this community and I would like to give Oakland residents and businesses an opportunity to benefit from what I know and do for my global clients.”

Miss Goodwin is launching the technology training center in January 2012 in Oakland, NJ where people can come learn new skills and businesses can leverage the students and graduates for a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house team or social media manager.

Her team is putting the final touches on this cutting edge program (which no one else has!) so if you are interested in being a student of Jennifer’s, please get on the waiting list ASAP. Early birds will get their training 100% free and have the opportunity to become part of the growing internet marketing team over at Jennifer Goodwin International. Businesses will receive very special discounts.

Potential students: Register here…

Business who want to utilize our students: Register here…

Hey all! It’s been such a gift for all of us to help our fellow Oaklander’s after Hurricane Irene and the floods.  All good things must come to an end so we wanted to alert you that the flood center on Elm Street will close it’s doors on November 28th.  Please get all your supplies between now and then and direct all future donations to OaklandCares. Thank you to all who made this such a monumental volunteer effort!

Recovery News: DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE DRAWS NEAR

NEPTUNE, N.J. – Only about three weeks remain for families, individuals and businesses in New Jersey to register for federal assistance for damage suffered from Hurricane Irene.

The deadline to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is Read the rest of this entry »

Oakland NJ Flood/Oakland Cares is pleased to announce that through one of our volunteers we have secured extremely low pricing for folks affected by the flood on the follow items:

High Quality Paint at extremely discounted prices Read the rest of this entry »

The Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing on the application for the NJDEP Green Acres – Local Blue Acres Flood Acquistion Program.

The hearing will be held on Wednesday October 19th at 7 pm at the Council Chambers.

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and express their views on flood buyouts and this proposed grant application.

Valley Stables Restaurant, located at 588 Ramapo Valley Road, will be donating all proceeds from Sunday October 16th to OaklandCares.

We have been notified of 2 buyout programs available:

1. Application for BLUE ACRES – see info under Green Acres

This must be filled out to get on the list to be bought out.

As it says – All Blue Acres acquisitions must Read the rest of this entry »

We have many families who lost their homes, kitchens, energy to cook etc. and your help is priceless to them!

If you would like to cook a meal for a family or more than one family, please do the following: Read the rest of this entry »

A concert, for adults only, is scheduled for this Friday, September 2nd at 5pm at Crystal Lake.

Donation is 15$ with proceeds going to OaklandCares.com to support relief of victims of flooding in Oakland.

BYOB, Bring your own blankets, coolers, and chairs, and rock out to the sounds of Reflections.

The Bergen County Regional Club (formerly Little Ferry/Moonachie) will be donating 150 twin mattresses to those afflicted by Irene.

Anyone seeking a mattress to replace one lost to Irene can contact Bob directly at rtolson83@gmail.com for details.

For Oakland residents affected by the flood: If you require laundry assistance and/or dishes washed before packing, we have a team of volunteers waiting to help.

Please contact Mary Ellen Graf: 973-309-2616 for assistance.

Within the first 24 hours of hurricane Irene, Oakland, NJ (lots of neighborhoods condemned) organized a massive flood relief effort at a few homes and turned the operations into this website and a location downtown.

What’s so interesting about this is that it is 100% citizen run. The volunteers have been in the neighborhoods, taking assessments, organizing teams of helpers, securing a drop off/pick up location for donations, getting food, water and essentials to those in need, having local landscape companies such as Liberty Landscaping bring their teams of workers etc.

In short, they have activated every resource available (schools, organizations, non-profits etc) and put them into action way before fema, red cross, government agencies.

Local businesses are donating food, staff, mattresses and time to this huge outreach.

Kudos to all involved and glad I could help too.

~Jennifer Goodwin

The drop off location for donations is:

12 Elm Street

Check home page for hours of operation.

Stay informed by checking the what’s needed and whats available list.

We need your help!

We will need volunteer help in the following areas:

• Clean up assistance in the affected areas/homes
• Collecting donated items
• Distributing donated items

If you would like to volunteer your time, Read the rest of this entry »

Many Oakland residents continue without power.  If you know anyone in this unfortunate situation please share some ways the library might be helpful during this time. Read the rest of this entry »