WMass. residents help victims of Sandy

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Thousands of people in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are still without power, food and shelter and western Mass. residents are taking proactive measures to help.

“He said that his dad was sitting alone in his house, watching his car float away,” said Sydne Didier, Amherst donation drive organizer.

Sydne Didier lived in New York many years ago, and still has friends and family members in the City.

“My heart was just breaking all week when I heard the stories about people trying to get water from fire hydrants, people going without in such a significant way,” said Didier.

So she decided to take some relief efforts into her own hands.

On Saturday she asked her neighbors and friends to drop off any items that could help the families affected by the storm.

There are various items in this truck, from bottled water to cleaning supplies to even pet foods.

People who dropped off these donations say New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are so close to our home here in western Massachusetts, and many people have family and friends there.

“My entire, aunt, uncle and cousin part of family is in that area. If there are people who need things, and we have things to give, then why not?” said Katie Lipp of South Deerfield.

But Donations didn't stop at clothes and diapers. Some people even volunteered to drive to New York with Didier.

“People have bigger hearts than they would like to admit sometimes, and this is just proof. That's it. We know what it's like. You know, everybody's been through something,” Alicia Stewart who is driving the truck to New York.

Volunteers say they hope to bring these donated items to neighborhoods that bigger trucks can't easily access.