Wow – what a community we live in. Organizers of the relief truck that is heading to Rockaway, Long Island and Staten Island this Saturday are thrilled with the community response for supplies for the hurricane/super storm Sandy victims.
The truck is full after the three pallets of supplies were delivered, arriving Wednesday through Friday last week.
The organizers would like to acknowledge the overwhelming support received so far, from hundreds of citizens from the local area and beyond.
First of all, thanks to the volunteers from the American Legion for helping to staff and load the truck.
Thank you also to the Rotary Club, who organized a monetary donation from the organization and individual members, to acquire specific tools and supplies needed for the demolition and re-building work in both the Rockaways and Staten Island.
Many community members have stepped up to help the cause so far: John Reny and the Renys organization, Rob Gardiner and Damariscotta Hardware, Todd Maurer and King Eider’s Pub, Mark Doe from Louis Doe Hardware, Wayne Dighton from the Pemaquid Fisherman’s Co-Op, Chris Roberts and The Lincoln County News, The Miles Hospital League, Colby & Gale, and Jeff Payson from Northeast Transport.
Organizers Larry Sidelinger, Russ Williams and Anne Geisler are heading south early Saturday morning to deliver the 53-foot van trailer with all supplies and donations.
Many will recall the overwhelming local response to the hurricanes of 2005 when the Wells-Hussey American Legion Post #42 and Ladies Auxiliary sent a truck driven by Sidelinger loaded with donated goods and food to the needy in Florida.
The delivery of the contents of this truck is being coordinated by Williams, Kieve’s 9/11 Family Camp Director, as he is in touch with several FDNY families and non-profit organizations in the New York area.
At this point organizers are asking people to hold off on any more donations. They will find out what is most needed this coming weekend, and let the community know how best to help in the future.
Finally, cash and check donations to help cover the approximately $800 in fuel and toll charges can be made to the American Legion for the express purpose of Hurricane Sandy Relief.
Any excess donations will be used to buy more building supplies. Visit the Facebook page at “Facebook.com/HurricaneReliefFromMaine” for more information and to follow our progress.
Williams said, “Additional donations can be made to The Stephen Siller TunneltoTowers.org foundation, a non-profit organization I have worked with over the past 10 years.”
For additional information, please contact Larry Sidelinger at 632-4878, Russ Williams 329-1161 or Gayle Gifford at the American Legion at 380-4942.
