From our island to their island ... Local Hurricane Sandy donations still being taken

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Mary Anne reported that while her personal campaign total has only reached $350 so far, some island residents have been donating to hurricane victims through UMCOR, The United Methodist Committee on Relief.

“I’m hoping to hit the $1,000 mark, and you never know,” she said. “I still could.”

Mary Anne was headed back to her hometown for the memorial service honoring Walter and Marie Colbourne, and to check on work being done at the couple’s damaged condominium. She will also be meeting with a local church to donate the money she has raised so far.

As to the current conditions on Staten Island and the surrounding area, she said there is still a great need.

“I continue to see things and hear stories,” she said. “The city of New York is trying to buy a lot of the land where buildings once stood but are now damaged or destroyed. They have created a task force to try and decide how to solve the building problems. A lot of these homes were old and grandfathered in, and were not up to code. There is still a lot of need there.”

Mary Anne said the storm victims don’t really need blankets, clothing and other items right now, but donations and gift cards are direly needed ... particularly with the pending holiday season. She did warn potential donors to be careful, though.

“Every day there are more postings about fraud,” she said. “You can contact the island’s Methodist Church (964-2479) or go to UMCOR.org.”

Mary Anne said she is eager to be able to drive around the area to see what’s really going on, and will report back to the Boca Beacon.