CG Accepts Donations During Shutdown

CAPE MAY – The Coast Guard’s motto of “Semper Paratus” (always ready) was put into action as members of the Coast Guard and community readied for the possibility of no paychecks Jan. 15 because of the partial government shutdown. 
Members of the Chief Petty Officers Association and Jersey Cape Military Spouses Club prepared space on the Coast Guard Training Center Cape May grounds Jan. 5 to store donations received by the community and groups, such as the Seaville Volunteer Fire Department and American Legion Post 184, Wildwood to stretch paychecks of federal employees affected by the shutdown.
The idea, according to spouse Jessica Manfre, is that affected families in need can go to the food pantry to “get expensive items like diapers, formula, canned goods, and other non-perishables” so they can stretch their paycheck to cover other food items, car payments or rents and mortgages.
According to Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards, Coast Guard Training Center public affairs officer, the guard is paid on the first and 15th of each month. Coast Guard members received paychecks on the first. However, of the 98 civilian employees working on base, all but 24 were furloughed and their last paycheck was received Dec. 15. There are about 1,000 people working at the base.
“Certainly everyone’s thoughts are that this issue is resolved as quickly as possible so we can get back to our mission of training recruits,” Edwards said. “We continue to train our recruits, but inherent in our work is worry about the shutdown.
“It’s not quite business as usual, but we are continuing doing our mission of training recruits,” he added.
“We’re preparing just in case,” Edwards noted about the community’s response for donations to the organizations’ drives. “We’re always ready.”
Because government agencies like the guard have strict ethical policies prohibiting the receipt of gifts and donations of more than $20 and no more than $50 from the same organization annually, and can’t receive donations from anyone the guard regulates such as the ferry service, Edwards said a process had to be established to receive the donations, including monetary ones, along with proper distribution channels.
That was settled Jan. 4, and the Spouses Club and Chief Petty Officers Association were ready for business the following afternoon after reshaping space on base to house a food pantry.
“We’ve always had a food pantry,” Manfre said. “It’s to help families in need, especially the junior members of the Coast Guard with small children who can’t always make ends meet.”
When word of the pending shutdown spread, Manfre said “there was a race to the food pantry. We realized we had a lot of expired canned goods. We reached out to the community and the response has been amazing.”
Carolyn O’Brien and her son, Firefighter Kevin, of Seaville, stepped in and partnered with the Wildwood American Legion to collect toiletries and non-perishable items. They’ve partnered in the past, most recently collecting items for Hurricane Michael victims in Florida.
“This isn’t about politics, this is about humanity,” O’Brien said. “I just can’t say enough about the need and the response has been amazing. We’ve even had people order through Amazon and had it delivered to us.”
O’Brien is hopeful that Cape May’s efforts are replicated across the country to help other guard members. At this time, others in the county impacted by the shutdown should have resources available. Manfre said they are coordinating with the Atlantic City Air Station to help fulfill their needs.
Emergency funds are available to junior members of the guard through its mutual assistance relief fund, whereby emergency loans can be obtained. Mostly funded by Coast Guard members in the past, single members can get up to $350 and married members up to $550.
This fund is also how anyone can donate monetary funds within the guard’s ethical policy (http://www.cgmahq.org) during the shutdown, according to Edwards.
In addition, some businesses around the county are offering Coast Guard members discounts, including the C-View Inn, of Cape May.
While any guard member housed on base is covered for housing costs, those who rent or own in the community may need help to pay housing expenses.
There are about 170 housing units on base, according to Edwards.
“Unfortunately, this can be a difficult lesson on managing your money and good financial stewardship,” Edwards said. “There are resources available for Coast Guard members who want to learn how to plan that emergency fund.”
Mike Couch, executive director, Coast Guard Community Foundation, said he was aware of the community efforts and monitoring the situation, but at this time, they were not doing anything specific.
“We applaud the great efforts by everyone to help those affected by the furlough,” he said.
In addition to the food donations, Lacey Milligan, Training Center Cape May’s ombudsman, said a local church had made a monetary donation to be used for “fun or to stretch the dollar.” Events like family movie nights have been canceled because the staff isn’t available.
“We’re not starving, but the fear is real for those affected by the shutdown,” she said. “It’s great to see the community rally behind the Coast Guard. We are so thankful for the response.”
She is the spouse of an active duty guard member.
Anyone wanting to donate items should contact Manfre at Jessmanfre@gmail.com to find out what is needed, however, laundry detergent, diapers, wipes, and toiletries are the biggest needs.
Items can be dropped off at the Legion, 4200 Atlantic Ave., Wildwood, or Seaville Fire Department, 36 NJ-50, Seaville, as well.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.