Prown's Disasters are Red Bank's Gain

It only took 19 days for a year’s worth of disasters to sell out.

Home improvement storeowner and “indefatigable” volunteer – Mayor Pat Menna’s words – David Prown’s annual calendar, with its , was a big hit, selling out its limited 300-print run and helping fund an important Red Bank service.

Each year proceeds from sales of the calendar are donated to a different charity or organization. This year, appropriately enough, the $3,000 raised from sales of the calendar was donated to the borough’s Office of Emergency Management.

Prown presented an oversized check to the borough and OEM Coordinator Tom Welsh at the borough's Wednesday. Last year Prown said he ordered 1,000 calendars but moving all of them proved tough. This year, he backed the order down to 300 and watched as they flew off the shelf.

“I tell you,” he said. “It’s fun to sell something out, especially in this economy.”

Menna lauded the efforts of the OEM, specifically Welsh, who he said took over the department two years ago and turned what was little more than a filing cabinet into an entire office that has moved towards training people in addition to responding to emergencies.

Soon, the OEM will begin providing training for a Community Emergency Response Team, thanks, in part, to the donation from Prown and everyone who purchased 2012’s disaster calendar.

Prown said he’s already got the idea for next year’s calendar. Proceeds from the 2013 calendar will benefit three local food pantries: Lunch Break, St. Anthony’s and the Salvation Army.

“Next will be old Red Bank eateries,” he said.