Mantoloking, NJ Before and after Hurricane Sandy
The damaging winds and rain of Hurricane Sandy last October claimed the lives of over 100 individuals. Among the most devastated areas were the Barrier Islands of NJ, with many of these people completely losing their homes.
The HALO Foundation of Akron, OH, whose mission is to “offer HOPE to the afflicted through the generosity of Service & Charity, involving intergenerational support from seniors to children,” conducted a drive last month to help aid those afflicted by Hurricane Sandy, collecting over 280 18-gallon totes of donations which included pet supplies, hygiene products, office supplies, clothing, and food, along with letters of encouragement written by local students and senior citizens. Since, the Foundation has gathered 500 of these totes along with office furniture and several thousand dollars worth the food.
Volunteers ranged from all ages, from local senior facilities that knitted and crocheted blankets and other materials as well as made cards for the drive, to students, including a young girl whose overwhelming generosity asked that for her 10th birthday party people bring items for the drive rather than presents.
Working with JW Didado, Jersey Central Power and Light, and Rubber City Radio (where last month’s drive took place), the HALO Foundation was able to sort and pack the items which will be distributed to the Barrier Islands in NJ on May 16th in Road Scholar Transport’s Flight 93 awareness truck.
The truck, which memorials the heroes of Flight 93, portraying the names of the 40 lives lost that day, will be greeted by families of Flight 93 victims, the chief of police, Mayor, and local businesses and schools, along with students being present to help unload the truck.
To learn more about the HALO Foundation visit http://www.halofoundation.com and check out http://www.roadscholarawareness.org for more information on Road Scholar’s awareness campaign and to view our trucks.
