We Americans always seem to be looking out for the next best thing. Witness our greeting-"What's new?" Hurricane Sandy was only three weeks ago and now we have moved on to General P, General A and the FBI. In my mind Sandy is still current because of a couple of things. Our electric company Commonwealth Edison sent crews to the east coast before the storm hit because they knew they would be needed there. These people started coming home this week. They have been working on the power outages for almost three weeks. Good job, ComEd people!
A week ago, there was a piece in the local online Patch newspaper about a group collecting supplies in Chicago and suburbs to take to NJ and NY. The group (Bring Hanah Home) started when the tornado hit Joplin MO and they took supplies there. They started up again when Sandy hit (Hurricane Sandy Humanitarian Relief Run). They were hoping to get enough to fill one UHaul truck. This was happening by word of mouth and by Facebook. There is a woman who lives a couple of blocks from me who was acting as one of the collectors. She expected to store things in her garage. I heard about this when they were ready to consolidate the donations. Her garage was full and her living room was full. She was one of many, many collection sites. The group ended up renting four trucks and four trailers filled to bursting with the donations, including $1500 worth of dog and cat supplies given by a local pet store. They set out last Friday in a convoy. Over the weekend they sent back emails of their experiences in Staten Island NY and two towns in NJ. So sad. And so uplifting. The Salvation Army hit the ground running (Marching?) giving out clothes, blankets, food, supplies. The VFW in Red Bank NJ is giving out food and supplies and places to sleep for anyone in need. Project Rebuild in Red Bank, NJ is doing the same. If you want to see America taking care of its own, Google Hurricane Sandy Humanitarian Relief Run, Project Restore, or Bring Hanah Home (Hanah is a dog who disappeared during the Joplin tornado and was the inspiration for this.) The people affected by Sandy and Katrina and the Haiti storms are still in need. You can contribute money using Paypal and Chipin. Or give to the Red Cross.