Most of us here in Madison are lucky to be able to be turning our thoughts to what we might be serving for dinner on Thanksgiving, or the best places to shop for holiday presents. And we realize there are so many in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey who are not that lucky.
Because the storm sped up as it approached Long Island Sound, we were spared the worst of it. If not for that, we might be the ones still in need of help right now. In New York and New Jersey, there were still more than 160,000 without power as of last weekend. The arduous process of removing debris is onging, a prelude to the long and expensive process of rebuilding.
We lost not a single person in our community. In the United States, the death toll is up to 113, in addition to more than 69 in the Carribbean.
McDermott Auto Group continues efforts to help
And so McDermott Auto Group in East Haven is continuing its efforts to help our neighbors in the tri-state region. Madison resident Kaitlin McDermott--along with her father, their friends and neighbors including Jaime Diglio and Kim Ragnow in Guilford, and people they just met--have already gathered and delivered several truckloads worth of needing goods to New Jersey. And Kaitlin says the process is ongoing for at least another week, and that there is still an opportunity for people to help.
"McDermott Auto is still accepting donations for Hurricane Sandy victims. Food is being donated locally and another box truck is headed down to the Rockaways [Thursday]. We have gathered aout 80,000 pounds of supplies thus far!" Kaitlin said.
As for donations, no more food or clothing is needed at this time. Here is what is needed now. "We are pushing for: school supplies, baby food, diapers, backpacks, lunch bags for kids, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, shovels and wheelbarrows." Donations can be dropped off at McDermott Auto Group, 655 Main Street, East Haven, CT.
Spread the word!
Please help if you can or at least help spread the word. Tell your friends, put it out on Facebook, send it out via email.
"If you can help spread the word, I'd so appreciate it!"
If you need more information about that, please contact Kaitlin McDermott McDermott Auto Group, 655 Main St East Haven, 203-273-3762.
Thank you from R. J. Julia, First Niagra, O'Neil and Sons Trucking, and America Recovers
At R. J. Julia, a drive sponsored by the local bookseller, First Niagra, and O'Neil and Sons Trucking was enormously successful as well. "We are OVERWHELMED by your generosity," R. J. Julia wrote on the store's Facebook page. "On behalf of everyone at R.J. Julia, First Niagara, and O'Neil & Sons trucking- Thank you!"
Daria Novak, who, with her sister Suzanne Novak, worked to gather supplies for Sandy victims as part of America Recovers, said their effort was enormously successful as well.
"We received donations from as far away as Pomfret, Putnam and others in the Quiet Corner. People drove down to Madison with pickup trucks filled to the brim!" Daria said.
