MIDDLEPORT - A local fire company, businesses and the local chapter of the American Red Cross are helping people affected by Superstorm Sandy.
The Middleport Fire Company is accepting donations for individuals in New Jersey.
Monetary donations, cleaning supplies, blankets, flashlights and other items are appreciated, according to Todd Amos, company president.
"Any donation would be helpful," Amos said.
Items can be dropped of at the fire company, Saint Clair Street, or financial donations can be sent to P.O. Box 219, Middleport, PA 17953, Attention Disaster Fund.
Amos said people may donated Nov. 19. The donations will be delivered that day to the Toms River area of New Jersey.
"The more the better," Amos said.
Amos, who has relatives in New Jersey, described conditions in the state as "not a good situation."
He said the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Saint Clair has permitted the group to set up an area for donations for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which can be given from about 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Scott Garcia, Wal-Mart store manager, also has family in an area heavily impacted by the storm.
His mother, Anna Garcia, 59, lives in Staten Island, N.Y.
"She's OK," he said. "She's in a nursing home."
The facility did loose power, but there was no flooding, he said, adding a generator is providing power.
However, Garcia's father was not so lucky.
"My dad lives in Long Island. They're still without power right now," he said.
His father, Carlos Garcia, 71, had flooding in his basement and had to stay with friends for a time.
"He has no electric, hot water, nothing," Garcia said. Still, he is staying at his house.
The electricity could be restored by the end of the week, Garcia said. His father has been without electricity since last Tuesday.
Garcia said he speaks to his parents once a day and also sends care packages to them.
Pioneer Pole Buildings and Alpine Building Supply, 696 South Route 183, Schuylkill Haven, are also accepting donations for victims of what is being called a superstorm.
Items can be donated from 8 a.m. to at 5 p.m. Thursday and will be delivered to a dropoff site in Monmouth County, N.J.
Clothing such as winter coats, gloves, hats socks, thermal underwear, warm blankets, cleaning supplies, toiletries, laundry detergent, non-perishable food, and shovels, brooms and trash bags are needed. The truck will leave Friday, said Bob Greene, president of the company.
Ark Rentals, 1100 Centre Turnpike, Orwigsburg, is also accepting donations from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Thursday.
Greene has a house in Ocean City but it was not damaged, he said.
Greene is donating supplies such as shovels, brooms and trash bags from the hardware store. "We just want to give back and try to help them," he said.
The American Red Cross is accepting donations to be used for the storm victims, too. People can donate online at www.redcross.org or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10 donation.
Janet Curtis, executive director of the local Red Cross chapter, said people are looking to donate to help the victims of Sandy.
"I'm humbled by the response of local people," Curtis said.