Long Beach Leading Long Island Harvey Relief Efforts

The City of Long Beach, which is still recovering from the damage Hurricane Sandy caused five years ago, is leading the charge on Long Island to collect and bring goods down to Texas to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

The city's fire and police departments are gathering donations of much-needed supplies, which will then be trucked down to Texas. Donations can be dropped off at the Long Beach Ice Arena, located at 150 West Bay Drive, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day this week. Donations will only be accepted until Friday, Sept. 1, as the goods are being sent down on Saturday.

The items in need include:

• Cleaning supplies, including garbage bags and masks/gloves
• Personal hygiene products
• First aid supplies
• Gift cards (do NOT bring cash or checks)
• Non-perishable food, including water
• Baby products (diapers, wipes, formula)
• Flashlights/Batteries/Blankets/Toilet Paper, etc.

The city asks that you do NOT bring clothes or shoes for donation.

Goods can also be dropped off at St. Mary of the Isle Church, located at 315 East Walnut St.

"Here in Long Beach we know the devastation a storm can bring, and we know how critical it was for so many agencies and kind people from across the country to come to our aid and that's why we are again paying it forward," said Long Beach City Manager Jack Schnirman.

The Kramer Family of Long Beach set up the rental of the trailer and organized to have a driver ready. They set up a GoFundMe page to raise the $5,000 needed to pay for both. The goal was met within hours.

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