Truckloads of supplies being collected for Sandy victims

HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) - Ken and Barbara Blake filled up the trunk with clothing and blankets, and made the drive from their West Brookfield home to Hadley so they could help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

They are just two of the people who are participating in a major supply drive being held at the Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Hadley.

The Blakes told 22News that they cannot conceive of how people could suffer so much, following the storm that has thousands of people still without power, weeks later.

"I can't imagine, I can't imagine the loss. It's just beyond my comprehension," Barbara said.

The organizers of the drive are hoping to fill two moving company trucks with supplies for storm victims, and have the trucks driven to hard-hit Staten Island and Queens by Sunday.

Organizer Brenda Fydenkevez told 22News she that just couldn't keep watching all that suffering without doing something to help the victims.

"I was heartstruck. What was going on especially in the Staten Island area and in the Queens area. It was just horrible," Fydenkevez said.

The main collection for the drive will be on Saturday from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the church on Russell Street in Hadley, though you can drop-off donations any morning this week.