Stowaway Self-Storage LLC, which operates eight facilities in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, has donated free use of a storage unit at its Lebanon, N.J., facility to store furniture collected for victims of a Jan. 14 fire. Eleven people were displaced from their apartments following an early-morning blaze that began inside the first-floor restaurant, The Peking Wok, at 81 W. Main St. in High Bridge, a borough in Hunterdon County, N.J., according to the source.
The collection effort, organized by the High Bridge Emergency Squad, is seeking items for nine of the residents, according to Jessica Luteran, the organization’s president. Two of the victims said they don’t require assistance.
Ten of the victims lost everything because they lived in the section of the building that was completely destroyed, Luteran told the source. "It is unclear at this time what belongings were destroyed and if they will be able to return to the building," she said.
In addition to collecting furniture, other outreach efforts are underway, including a music benefit, a bed-donation drive, and transportation assistance to move large donations to the Stowaway facility. The High Bridge Emergency Squad is requesting donations of clothing, money and gift cards.
Family-owned Stowaway Self-Storage regularly participates in community events and partners with charitable organizations including National Night Out, SPCA International and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots annual holiday toy drive, according to the company website.
