Little Silver Community Kept 9/11 Rescuers Supplied

Nancy Swift recalled a strange odor in the air as she and walking partner Louise O’Malley made their way through downtown Little Silver on Sept. 11, 2001. It was an overpowering scent that had blown south from Ground Zero, reminding them that colossal tragedy was only a short train ride away.

Wanting to do something to help, Swift and O'Malley got in touch with Ladies Auxiliary member Tricia Campbell the next day. They opened the  building on Prospect Avenue to collect supplies immediately needed by rescuers in New York, such as bottled water, flashlights, batteries, work gloves, bars of soap, and towels.

"The outpouring of support was amazing,” said Swift. “Everybody was involved. My kids were little at the time and they were helping. Everybody was helping, and it was nice to see the entire community come together for one common thing, unfortunately as tragic as it was, it was a common thing, and everybody wanted to help.”

Swift personally helped deliver the items to New York, and said that as a result of the experience, she became involved with the Ladies Auxiliary in the years to come.