Sandy relief fundraiser in Chicopee

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - At least 3,500 families in New York and New Jersey are still living in motels because they lost their homes during Hurricane Sandy late October.

So to help those families, students of Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School and Ballamy Memorial Middle School will collect donations today.

They are set up at the Knights of Columbus on Memorial Drive in Chicopee.

They are collecting cash and items such as cleaning supplies, new socks, hats, gloves, toothbrushes, flashlights, clothing and non-perishable food items.

The money collected today will be given to the American Red Cross.

This is one of many relief efforts that have been going on here in western Massachusetts.

Life is far from normal for families in NY and NJ.

Congress last week approved a 50 billion dollars aid package. That should help, but the immediate needs are for people who are still missing walls and windows to their houses.

Donations are accepted today from now until 3 p.m.