Student Launches Drive to Help Sandy Victims

When Nick Leloia entered the eighth grade this year at Long Valley Middle School, preparing for the leap to high school was probably the most important topic on his mind.

But now, less than three months into the school year, Leloia is focusing his attention outside of the classroom and aiming to help others.

The teen’s grandparents, who live on Bay Head along the barrier islands on the New Jersey Shore, have been displaced since Oct. 31 due to the impact from Hurricane Sandy, Leloia said.

While Leloia’s grandparents are in need, it’s their elderly neighbors the Long Valley resident is trying to help.

Leloia has launched a goods drive, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 27, that is requesting the donation of necessary equipment to help get the Jersey Shore back on its feet, the teen states in a flyer promoting the drive.

The donations will go directly to the National Guard, whose members have been stationed there for nearly a month, Leloia said. The goods will also go to homeowners to help clean their residences. 

The list includes:

• Rubber gloves
• Spray bottles
• Cleaning solutions
• Bleach
• Masks
• Plastic buckets/bins
• Contractor bags
• Paper Towels
• Shovels
• Brooms/Mops/Dust pans
• Pet supplies for sheltered animals displaced by the storm
• Personal items for National Guard members, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and non-perishable food

Monetary donations will be accepted to buy lunch for the National Guard members and other volunteers on the day of donation drop-off.

Donations can be brought to the Long Valley Middle School between Tuesday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Dec. 7, or dropped off at 45 Wellington Drive in Long Valley.