HOWELL – During a recent Township Council meeting, the governing body praised regular citizens have stepped up to help others.
“There was a recent act of kindness,” Councilman Thomas Russo said, recalling a story told to him by an employee of the ShopRite of Howell. “There was an elderly gentleman who had a cart full of food but his card wasn’t working and several employees – I think they were 18 years old – got together and paid out of their own pocket for this individual’s food. What they did was outstanding. It really is great to see those kinds of acts of kindness during this difficult time.”
Russo also thanked the volunteers who have been helping him deliver food to seniors.
Russo added that he wanted to honor and mention, “Dick Clark of Howell who donated $1,000 which led to a buddy of mine to donate additional money so kindness does breed kindness which is really good to see.”
Deputy Mayor Evelyn O’Donnell added that she also knew of a resident who made a donation and it is “someone who sits on one of our boards. I don’t have permission to share his name. I truly look at this as an act of selflessness because when someone doesn’t ask to be thanked, I think that it is something even more pure.
“At this time you see people reaching out to neighbors, friends, people they don’t even know and it is always amazing to see the goodness in people and the goodness of the people of Howell,” she said. “For all the years I’ve been here I must say that people are doing things without being asked to do them and that means people are really working from the heart and soul.
“Our employees are just unbelievably motivated. I did a food delivery from the senior center to a family who were truly in need and I couldn’t believe when the door to the center opened, and I couldn’t go in obviously. The business inside that building was overwhelming – the cleaning, the gathering of the food to put things together for other people. It is a real pleasure to be part of this family in Howell,” the deputy mayor added.
Mayor Theresa Berger noted during the meeting that it was ironic that “today is World Health Day” April 7. “Social distancing is a big deal. This is not a vacation. I’ve been hearing from so many people that I spoke to today that their kids are bicycling together but this is not a playdate.”
“I have to say you can’t get away from anyone. I know, my house is not small but I can imagine how it is to teach these little kids and keep them occupied but moms you must keep them with your families. We shouldn’t be mixing families. It is very important as we don’t want to share germs. If we go out at this point, they are asking us to wear masks,” the Mayor said.
Mayor Berger also commended the township’s first responders. “Outstanding job as always. Howell is always on top so we have to thank every employee.”
