Paul Delaney is the first to say that when you own a pickup truck you become popular pretty quickly. Delaney, a self-employed contractor from Summit, NJ, owns two trucks and has been extremely popular with Family Promise since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country.
Since March, Delaney has been putting miles on his trucks helping families in the Family Promise Union County (FPUC) program in New Jersey. When quarantine restrictions impacted Family Promise’s rotational shelter model, FPUC worked with local landlords to arrange for families to use four vacant apartments. For the past several months, Delaney has been picking up donated furniture and moving it into the apartments. From beds to tables, even a stove, and a refrigerator, Delaney’s efforts have enabled families to make their apartments feel like home.
“Our family was brought up to help people. It’s second nature to me – if you see somebody who needs help, you help,” he says.
He has seen an increased need for support since the health crisis and is glad he can be there for those in need. Paul Delaney says his five siblings are all dedicated to giving back to their communities, noting that he learned about Family Promise five years ago from his sister who volunteered with the Morris County, NJ, Affiliate.
Delaney also helps at a local food pantry and serves as vice president of the board of trustees at a recovery home for women. But he’s humble about his work and grateful for the opportunity to serve others.
“The more I do, the more I get,” he says.
