Gloucester County Residents Lead Community In Sandy Relief Efforts
WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J. (CBS) – Many communities have pulled together to help those affected by Superstorm Sandy.
One New Jersey man, John Fitzgerald of Williamstown, is doing his part to help in the relief of Sandy victims.
After contacting shelters in the area for information on what items were needed, John and his friend Janene Nolan Geiss reached out to family and friends through email, word of mouth and social media and received a great response.
"It's phenomenal," Fitzgerald said. "I can't say how happy I am with what everyone did."
They received responses from as far away as California of people answering their call to help.
"I just had an old friend donate baby diapers, formula, and supplies that were ordered from Costco.com and everything is being delivered to my office tomorrow. By the way, this friend of mine lives in Cali!!!! Unbelievable how my friends have been able to step up all over the country. This is just one heart-warming story [of] how much people care," John said on his Facebook profile.
Drop off stations were staged in multiple locations and a Facebook page, Help Jersey Shore was created to help with coordination and spreading the word.
On Saturday morning a group gathered at John's house to fill eight vehicles with thousands of items like blankets, diapers, baby formula, and clothes that were collected 48 hours after the call for help was put out.
The caravan headed to King of Kings Church shelter in Manahawkin and a shelter at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission to drop off items to evacuees.
"It was all you," Fitzgerald said. "Thank you so much. You know who you are."
Donations are still being accepted. You can like their Facebook page Help Jersey Shore to find out what is needed.
