No shortage of volunteers, or donations
CARMEL – Leave it to Putnam County’s emergency services community spearheaded by the Carmel Fire Department.
In just 48 hours, tons of items were collected for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and on Monday pods were to be dispatched to the Houston area as well as south Florida.
Maria Caraballo, a member of the fire department’s Ladies Auxiliary organized the drive as she did in previous years when horrific weather events ravaged sections of the U.S.
Caraballo said in addition to the county’s emergency services providers, parishioners at St. James Church opened their hearts and pocketbooks as did members of the region after learning about the collection on social media.
“When the chips are down, this is us,” Caraballo noted.
The Ossining Fire Department in Westchester was so moved by the collection that its members put together two truckloads full in a day’s time.
The items shipped included everything from bottled water to diapers, canned goods, toiletries, gently used clothing and the list went on and on.
Carmel Assistant Chief Robert Lipton Jr. looked around at the amount collected and the dedication of his membership, both male and female.
“This is truly a special place,” Lipton said.
