OAKLAND, New Jersey (WABC) — A local boy scout troop answered the call after a senior center in Oakland, New Jersey put out a request for volunteers to help elderly residents in the neighborhood who couldn’t shovel their driveways after recent snowstorms.

The Borough of Oakland Senior Center says some of the driveways are too long or difficult to clear by hand, making snowblowers essential.

Because of that, they have been urgently asking for volunteers who have snowblowers and can help dig out elderly neighbors.

Answering that call were members of Boy Scout Troop 49, who lived up to their commitment as scouts, braving the cold to clean out driveways, walkways, steps, and fire hydrants, for members of their community.

“Some of the stuff we had been doing was clearing off some pretty long driveways with both snowblowers and snow shovels, and it was a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun,” said Troop 49 scout, Taylor Fleeson.

It was not an easy task.

“Any help is great, and the Boy Scouts, it’s good for them. It shows them different things and respect, and how to help other people out,” said Oakland resident, Corky Swiers.

Their efforts were greatly appreciated.

“I couldn’t have done it without them. And that’s the truth. You can do so much, but nothing is better than extra help,” Swiers said.

Oakland sits along the Ramapo River, and the extreme cold temperatures quickly turned the snow and ice into a heavy mixture to move, but the troop had all the muscle, dedication and determination they needed to push through.

“It teaches them community involvement, service, responsibility and reward for doing something, helping people out in a time of need,” said Troop 40 leader, Jim Folkerts.

The troop says they’ll do it again when called.

Officials say student volunteers are welcome, and community service hours can be verified for those who need them. Even a single driveway cleared could make a meaningful difference for a senior who may be waiting to get groceries, attend appointments, or simply get outside safely.

Anyone who is able to help is encouraged to contact the Oakland Senior Center as soon as possible by calling 2014057731 or emailing seniors@oaklandnj.org.

Community leaders emphasize that a little time and the right equipment could go a long way in helping vulnerable residents during the ongoing winter weather.

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CAMDEN, New Jersey – The Maserati-driving ex New Jersey GOP aide accused of paying a fetish artist to carve into her skin in a staged anti-Trump attack still bears the horrific scars — even as she’s trying to make a “fresh start” in Florida after undergoing mental health treatment.

Glamorous former law student Natalie Greene, 26, arrived at Camden Federal Court Wednesday in her Italian sports car, wearing a dark green mini dress and clutching a Louis Vuitton bag while sporting an ankle monitor on her left leg – along with the ghastly healed gashes still visible on her neck and jawline.

The Ocean City resident, arrested in November, allegedly paid a body modification artist $500 to slash dozens of gruesome wounds into her face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders with a scalpel on July 21.

Two days later, prosecutors said she staged a bogus attack at Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve, claiming three assailants held her at gunpoint, mutilated her skin, and wrote “Trump Whore” on her stomach.

At a court hearing Wednesday, Camden federal Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Pascal approved Greene’s request to relocate to Fort Lauderdale, where she will live with – and be supervised by – a childhood friend who was previously busted for cocaine and riding an unlicensed vehicle in the streets.

Greene’s lawyer, Louis Barbone, argued that the accused fraudster was desperate to rebuild her life, saying she had struggled to find work due to the case, had received death threats and been stalked online.

“The prospect of Natalie Greene getting a job in this area is slim to none,” Barbone told the judge, adding that moving to the Sunshine State “gives her a fresh start and ability to act normal.”

He added that despite living with her ex-boyfriend’s mother in what he described as a tension-filled “hell hole,” the former Rutgers Law student has successfully completed her court-mandated mental health treatment.

Barbone said Greene, who has a job lined up in Florida, will continue mental health treatment, stay on electronic monitoring, and follow a curfew when she lives with Kristin Haughton-James, a twice arrested mom of two who appeared in court via video to confirm she can accommodate her former campmate.

Federal prosecutors argued that the request for Haughton-James to supervise the former congressional aide to Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) was taking her from “the frying pan into the fire.”

“I don’t think it’s a better plan,” prosecutor Patrick Askin said, pointing to the Florida woman’s 2025 arrest for riding an ATV in the street as a “red flag for judgement” and a “lack of respect for the law.”

Haughton-James was also busted in 2013 at age 19 for possession of cocaine, for which she went through a treatment program. She currently uses medical marijuana daily to treat her anxiety and is on probation for her current arrest.

But Pascal found Haughton-James, a waitress, “incredibly credible and forthright.”

The childhood friend agreed to report any violations Green – whom she met two decades ago and later reconnected with on Facebook following her high-profile arrest – assured the court that she “completely understands” her new responsibilities as a legal custodian.

Greene and Barbone declined to comment upon leaving court, though the latter said he hopes to negotiate a plea deal with federal prosecutors after reviewing the evidence.

The suspected con artist worked for Van Drew’s office while also attending Rutgers Law School at the time of the alleged hoax attack.

Greene claimed three gun-wielding men approached her on the nature trail, hog-tied her with black zip ties, and held her down while slashing her face and body on July 23.

“TRUMP WHORE” and “Van Drew is a racist” were also scrawled on her body with black marker.

Prosecutors said Greene was taken to a hospital, where she and her accomplice gave police conflicting accounts of what happened and provided faulty descriptions of the phantom assailants.

Police also found zip-ties stashed in her Maserati SUV.

Greene is charged with conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes and making false statements to federal law enforcement.

She faces up to ten years behind bars and a $250,000 fine if convicted on both counts.

THE SCOOP

The Devils are running out of runway if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. The club is nine points out of the final Wild Card spot and five points back from the final position in the Metro Division. What’s worse, there are four teams ahead in the Wild Card chase and two clubs in front of a Metro push.

New Jersey needs to string some wins together and fast. With four games remaining before the Olympic break, the Devils will likely need to win three of them just to keep pace.

The Devils will welcome newly acquired forward Maximum Tsyplakov from the New York Islanders. The team sent Ondrej Palat and two draft picks to Long Island to execute the trade. He will join the team for its morning skate.

The Devils’ special teams have really begun connecting. The power play has scored on five of its past nine chances while the PK has killed 15 straight. But the team still has trouble generating goals at 5v5.

After a sluggish start, the Nashville has clawed back into the playoff conversation. The club has 53 points, four back from the final Wild Card position.

Nashville is in the midst of a critical road trip through Boston, New Jersey, and NY Islanders. Following a 3-2 overtime loss in Boston, the Predators are looking to rebound against the Devils.

Center Steven Stamkos is off to a tremendous start to the season. After posting just 27 goals in 82 games last season, his first in Nashville, Stamkos has rebounded with 25 already on the current season through 52 games.

Center Ryan O’Reilly has found the fountain of youth. The 34-year-old has 51 points to pace the club. He’s two goals shy of his 10^th 20-goal campaign. Defenseman Roman Josi recently played in his 1,000^th career game and still has some offensive punch.