Hi everyone!
I am Claudia Pisciotta, an 11-year-old, sixth grader at Pierrepont school in Rutherford and I have an idea that needs your help.
Last Friday night I sat with my family and watched the benefit on television for Hurricane Sandy and saw what devastation it caused for people who live down the shore.
Down the shore is a part of my childhood and I'm grateful I was able to enjoy 11 summers there. As we watched the benefit, I saw the piers and rides and restaurants and other beach places I had been to with my family. Places we enjoyed. Places we will remember. Places that now lay in piles of rubble. Places that now need help.
My generation will now grow up with the rebuild of the shore: new beaches, rides, piers etc.
My parent’s generation grew up down the jersey shore and they told me many stories. Plus my parents met each other down the shore, in Seaside, and my grandparents met down the shore too, on Point Pleasant Beach. They want my sisters and I to enjoy the shore and make great memories just like they did.
I was inspired and motivated to help after watching the benefit and I have a plan to help that includes all of us.
The plan is simple: collect what families need right now. This includes food, blankets, coats, first aid supplies, socks and pet food. It includes school supplies, books, pillows, water, batteries and flashlights and baby supplies like diapers, wipes, strollers, formula and baby food. This includes monetary donations or gift cards to food stores. It means going into your homes, closets, wallets and attics.
Please bring your donated items to 25 Park Avenue, Rutherford, NJ
Hours of operation there are:
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday through Thursday;
6 pm to 9 pm, Friday;
10 am to 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday;
The collection will end at 4 pm, Saturday, Nov. 17
Highly requested items as of Friday, Nov. 9 are:
--Cleaning supplies and bleach
--Baby items especially diapers, wipes and formula
--Personal care items
--Blankets and winter coats
--Food, bottled water
--Pet food and supplies
If you can't drop donations off, please contact us and we will do our best to get a volunteer to you for a local pick up.
We are also looking for a person or company to donate a truck and driver on Saturday, November 17, to drive all the donations down the shore.
My parents will be helping me every step of the way. One of the best ways they can help is by reaching out to friends, family and our community. That's why you’re getting this message! Please forward this to anyone you think would want to help.
Please make any type of donation you can. Nothing is too small and everything will be appreciated. We might not be able to help everyone but we can do a small part if we come together!
If you have any questions, please email us at DonationsDTS@gmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook. Thank you in advance for your generosity and cooperation!
Claudia Pisciotta
(and Sabrina Pisciotta - coordinator & my mom)
