Local woman works to send Christmas to Sandy kids
CONNELLSVILLE — A local woman is on a mission to spread Christmas cheer.
After hearing of the devastation in New Jersey following Hurricane Sandy, Connellsville resident Mary Dreliszak knew she wanted to help.
“A couple of weeks ago, I was looking for a way to assist in any way I could,” Dreliszak said.
She decided to focus her relief effort on Pinelands Regional Junior and Senior High Schools in Ocean County, N.J. — a school that served as a shelter for approximately 600 people at the height of the storm.
At first, it was her goal to send supplies such as cleaning and hygiene products, pillows and blankets, but her focus recently changed.
“Many of the homes in Ocean County were damaged or destroyed and the mood is very somber,” Dreliszak said. “What these kids need is Christmas.”
And so the idea for “Operation Sandy Claus” was born.
Dreliszak is asking the community to help her send Christmas presents to the 1,800 students who attend Pinelands Regional Junior and Senior High Schools.
“The shelter has now closed and school has resumed, but the devastation and impact is far from over,” Dreliszak said. “Most of the homes in this town of Little Egg Harbor were either damaged or destroyed.”
According to Dreliszak, businesses, service organizations, schools and community members are invited to donate items that students are in need of now.
Many students have been displaced from their homes and are living with other members of the community, Dreliszak said.
After speaking with officials from the New Jersey school, she developed a list of items that are most requested at this time. Some gift ideas include: gift cards for iTunes, Walmart, Target, or Kmart; hoodies for males and females; headphones; messenger bags and backpacks; binders; pens; highlighters; journals; thumb drives; and body care products.
“These are items that can brighten the spirit of these kids,” she said.
Dreliszak also said that because students and their families have been displaced and they are living out of trash bags, storage units are also requested.
“Ocean County, N.J., suffered a great deal, and I knew this was a real tangible way to help and make a difference,” she said.
The unwrapped gifts can be taken to Henschel and Sons Exhaust and Equipment Warehouse at 1502 Memorial Blvd. in Connellsville Township from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Dec. 7.
Wendy’s in Connellsville will place a box at its establishment to collect gifts as well.
In addition to serving as the drop-off location for the gifts, Henschel and Sons will also be picking up items at six targeted high schools in Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Cavanaugh Trucking will serve as Sandy’s sleigh, delivering the gifts to Pinelands Regional Junior High School.
“The word is definitely getting out, and I think the momentum is building,” Dreslizak said. “Our goal is to fill the truck up if we can.”
Dreslizak said Fayette EMS is also helping with the collection and Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School is hosting a dress-down day today to raise money for Cavanaugh Trucking’s fuel cost.
“This project is about giving hope, and it is only made possible through the generous support of these companies and all of those assisting with this effort,” Dreliszak said. “We can reach these students and give them some hope, and let them know someone cares about them — to make their Christmas a little brighter.”