Monroe County. – Girl Scout Brownie Troop 149 of Fairport and Perinton packed a van with boxes full of donations.
“It really hit home that kids didn't have Halloween,” said Troop Leader Kelly Steamer. “They didn't go trick or treating, so a lot of the girls donated extra Halloween candy out of their own buckets to send to kids down state.”
The Girl Scouts also collected essentials throughout the day for those devastated by Hurricane Sandy.
“It teaches them that there are people at different times that may fall on hard times,” said Steamer, “and may not have those basic things that we take for granted.”
Philanthropy for hurricane victims spread across Monroe County.
At Sahlen's Stadium, Red Cross collection cans encourage people to give.
The annual Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner donated funds to help hurricane relief efforts.
And across town at the Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Department a sign welcomed donations, even as truck loads of items, collected since Friday, were already being delivered.
“We really have to count our blessings,” said Jeanne Klem-Goonan, who we caught dropping off a car full of donations. “It could have been much worse for us, but we can help them.”
“When something terrible like this happens, everyone has to bond together,” said Stephanie Meyers, who stopped by to drop off some non-perishable food. The small thing the college student could do, sending help to the area she grew up in.
“Even five hours away people are taking the time to hold a drive,” said Meyers, “it's awesome.”
The Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Department will continue to collect donations through Thursday. And it's not just donations that western New York is sending, emergency responders and volunteers from our area have been, and still are on the frontlines helping with hurricane relief efforts.
