Shore Relief Aided by Long Valley Teen, Friends

Nick Leloia is only in eighth grade,

What happened after the Long Valley Middle School student kicked off his drive to collect donated goods was nothing short of yet another amazing community effort in Washington Township, and one that will undoubtedly help the residents of Bay Head.

Leloia set up collection drop-off spots at the school and his own home, requesting cleaning supplies and pet goods, along with monetary donations that would all be funneled through the National Guard which has set up a station in Bay Head while conducting relief efforts.

The efforts by Leloia led to two SUVs full of donations, with enough overflow to use up the roof racks on the vehicles, along with $800 in monetary donations, according to Nick’s mom Beth Leloia. Donations came in from as far as Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, Leloia said.

Among the donations were 50 bottles of bleach; 120 rolls of paper towels; eight cases of gloves; 20 shovels; 25 brooms and dust pans; 600 trash and contractor bags; four cases of protective masks; 50 plastic buckets; more than 75 pounds of pet food; eight large boxes of non-perishable foods; and eight large boxes of toiletries, Leloia said.

On Saturday, Nick, along with parents Beth and Frank and friends Declan Healy and his father Chance, and Petey Taylor, all took the goods down to Ortley Beach and Lavallette. The cleaning supplies were given to the “Bucket Brigade” and the Long Valley residents bought dozens of sandwiches and other lunch foods to feed the volunteers and Lavallette Police Department, Leloia said.

Non-perishable foods and toiletries were given to St. Paul’s Church in Bay Head, which is feeding many of the National Guard members as well as volunteers and displaced shore town residents. The pet supplies went to Point Paws in Pt. Pleasant Beach, an animal rescue center, Leloia said.

“We feel extremely blessed by the outpouring of support in our community,” Beth Leloia said. “I know these efforts made a difference in many people’s lives.”