A couple days ago, Dover suffered a devastating fire which destroyed the homes of 14 families and 6 business. Forty people are permanently without a home including an infant, while another forty people are displaced until their utilities are turned back on. Four of the buildings were Historical structures. Thankfully no one was seriously injured during the blaze that took several hours to get under control. Fire Departments from the entire County, including Denville, responded.

Many of you have asked how to help. I have been in contact with the Mayor Dodd of Dover office. The families are in a warm shelter in Dover, where they are getting three meals a day, have showers, and beds. A lot of people are confused and feeling the effects that they have lost everything they owned.

They have had an outpouring of local support of clothes, household items, bedding and personal items. They do not need any more of those type items.

What the Town is requesting now is GIFT CARDS, in any from local places such as Sears, Target, & Walmart. Any Amount is appreciated. The Mayor of Dover has created a very organized way of collecting the cards and as the families find their new homes, they will be given the cards to get them on their feet again.

We all can remember what Hurricane Irene did to our community, we pulled together as a town and helped each other. It is what Denville does. Now I am asking you to help Dover through the donation of gift cards. Let’s show our neighbors up the road that Denville is there for them during this very difficult time.

We will be collecting the gift cards until October 31st at the Denville Town Hall, 1 St. Mary’s Pl, Mon-Fri 8AM -4PM & Faith & Begorra, 40 Broadway, Denville Mon-Thur 9:30-5:30, Fri 9:30-8:00PM Sat 10AM-5:30PM Sun 12Noon-4:00PM. All gift cards can be dropped at either location and they will be hand delivered to the hands of Dover for those families who have nothing.

We look forward to showing Dover, Denville cares!

Sincerely,

Mayor Tom Andes

Township of Denville