THIS POST WAS MADE BY KEVIN GUHL, AND APPEARED IN THE CRANFORD CHRONICLE, NJ.COM, AND CRANFORD PATCH. I AM SO APPRECIATIVE TO ALL WHO HELPED

Immediately following Hurricane Sandy, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Westfield West Office real estate agent Sharon Steele and the followers of her Facebook page, 365 Things to Do in the Cranford/Westfield Area of NJ, sprung into action to help. The group coordinated their efforts to collect seven truckloads full of donations that were hand-delivered to residents of Staten Island during two trips in the first week following Sandy.Donations were left on the porch of Steele’s Cranford home, which was filled numerous times, and also mailed to her.

The donations arrived from surrounding towns in Union County as well as from supporters in Oklahoma, California and Virginia. “It was a very rewarding and humbling experience, especially since my town of Cranford had suffered so much with Irene. People were so willing to reach out to others to help,” said Steele.

When Steele was unable to rent trucks to make deliveries, friends and strangers (who she now considers friends) showed up at her home with Suburbans, pickup trucks and minivans ready to assist with the distribution of supplies. Donations were taken to the Red Cross, two churches and another donation drop-off location, Rab’s Bowling. More than 500 sandwiches, cookies and snacks were also collected and delivered to those working to salvage their homes. Steele and I Love Little Scoops in Cranford also hosted an ice cream giveaway on Saturday, November 24th, treating local kids who missed out on Halloween as a result of Hurricane Sandy. I Love Little Scoops also provided donations to Hurricane Sandy relief, said Steele.