By Kathryn Coulibaly
Mark Haug knows what it’s like to live through disaster. A physical education teacher at Central Regional High School in Bayville, Ocean County, Haug and his family lost their home in Superstorm Sandy in 2012. He remembers standing in his backyard looking at the shell that had been his home when a man walked up with a cup of coffee for him.
“He asked me if I needed anything and I’m like, ‘I’m good,’ because my wife and I are in a good place financially,” Haug recalls. “But it was little acts like that that kept us going. When friends would stop by with a pizza, I kept thinking that someday I would pay that forward.”
Haug kept his promise, launching his charity, Hold On, I’m Coming in March 2021. Haug travels to various disaster sites to provide food, comfort, communications, support, information, and donations of toiletries and other essential supplies using a trailer he has outfitted for the trip.
“The concept is simple,” Haug says. “It’s time-consuming, but once I figured out the logistics of it, it was manageable. For anyone who helps, I have a script. People need to tell their story; you just listen to it and offer empathy. I want our volunteers to be part of the mental healing as well as the physical stuff.”
The name of Haug’s charity comes from a Motown song that was on the radio when he was describing his idea to his son. Haug knew that while there are many wonderful organizations meeting people’s needs when they go through a crisis, he had a unique perspective thanks to his experience.
“People recommended organizations for me to join, but you hear how much of their money goes to overhead,” Haug says. “If someone gives me a dollar, then I’m spending a dollar to help people. No one is telling me where to go, I tell myself. It was really important for people like me to go to these places because we’ve been through it. People are suffering and we can tell them our story. It gives them hope.”
A spot where people gather
Haug keeps his project simple. He provides some seats, a phone charging station, food and water.
“I have found that when I get to places, I become a spot where people start to gather,” Haug says. “It’s a sense of community. People come and tell their stories to each other.”
Haug has visited disaster sites in several states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Kentucky, Vermont and others.
“I try to be a bridge to other services,” Haug says. “When the first-aid squad and the firefighters leave, and before the Salvation Army and Red Cross get in, I try to be there in the middle. Those are big operations, and they can’t move as quickly as I can. I’ve been there on site and I’m feeding the Red Cross, the National Guard, state troopers, the tree guys, the wire guys and EMTs.”
Haug has become known for providing hot dogs at the sites. He’s found that how people prefer the hot dog—what condiments and other toppings they like—is a great topic of conversation. He provides chips and crockpots with sauerkraut and chili. He’s learned that in Kentucky, people preferred to eat their hot dogs with mayonnaise. In Pennsylvania, they were all about the chili and sauerkraut. Down in Florida, they wanted hot peppers and Tabasco sauce.
Expanding the project
Almost two years after starting his project, Haug has expanded to a second trailer. He has made connections with people from all over who want to support his work.
“While I’m at a location, people will donate things to me, and I just turn around and give that to people while I’m there.”
Haug provides bags full of supplies for people that include everything from toilet paper, rubber gloves, soap, dog treats, blankets, hats and socks.
“People reach into their own pockets to help others,” he says.
Haug feels strongly that when people donate to his charity he has an obligation to do right by them.
“Whatever you give me, I’m going to give it to someone.”
As someone who has been where these people are now, Haug knows how challenging it is to accept donations from people. But as someone who has been there, “We’re all links in the chain,” he says.
“People still have their pride. I don’t accept anything used,” Haug says. “While I appreciate their generosity, these people are going through the worst times in their lives. It means a lot for their pride when they get new stuff. I’ll find the right home for used donations.”
Haug lives a busy life in Ocean Gate with his wife, Christina, a teacher in Toms River, and their family. In addition, he coaches track and volleyball, is a councilman in Ocean Gate and has a travel agency, but Hold On, I’m Coming is his passion.
“This is what I want to pursue in retirement,” he says. “I just want to pay forward what has been given to me and my family.”
Learn more about Hold On, I’m Coming by following them on Facebook and visiting holdonimcoming.com.
Kathryn Coulibaly is the associate editor of the NJEA Review and provides content and support to njea.org. She can be reached at kcoulibaly@njea.org.