Daren Graves pulled into Long Beach, New York after a drive from Boothbay Harbor December 19, hauling a trailer full of items he and others collected for victims of Hurricane Sandy. He had barely put the truck in park when a woman came up and asked if he had any clothes for infants.

“She said she had a four-month-old daughter and that the family lost everything in the hurricane,” said Graves, who made the trip with his wife, Debbie, and granddaughter, Chelsie. “We found a bag of clothing in the trailer and she was grateful for what we had.”

Not too long after that encounter, a man came asking for tools. Graves said he accommodated that request as well.

For about three weeks before the pre-Christmas trip to New York, Graves made a call out through this newspaper and by word of mouth that he wanted to help the hurricane victims by bringing them items they needed. 

“This community really came through,” Graves said. “Money was donated by area organizations, businesses and individuals, and items such as brooms, mops, shovels, blankets and tarps were given to us. 

“We were told by our contacts in New York that we didn't need to bring clothing, but we received some items anyway. The people there were very appreciative of what we brought.”

Graves said local emergency responder Scott Campbell of Boothbay put him in contact with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which was formed in honor of New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on 9/11.

“After delivering school books and other items to the East Elementary School on Long Island – items that we were asked to pick up in Eliot on the way down – we headed to Staten Island,” Graves said. “The Tunnel to Towers Foundation had set up a distribution center in a large abandoned restaurant. 

“Volunteers were there to greet us. They unloaded the items and separated them into different locations within the building. People would then sign up to receive the items that they needed. It was a well-run operation.” Graves said he was quite impressed with the foundation and what he learned about it through the Internet.

Chelsie Graves, 13, who had been to New York City once before as a youngster, said she was quite impressed with the city this time. Her grandfather was quite impressed with Chelsie as well.

“I donated all of my toys to the people of New York,” said Chelsie, after Daren asked me to ask the teenager what she had donated. “I wasn't playing with the toys anymore so I wanted to give them to girls that would enjoy playing them.”

After seeing first-hand the devastation the hurricane caused, Graves said, “It (collecting and delivering the items) is one of the most inspirational things I've done.” This is coming from a man who has saved several lives as a former police officer and firefighter.

“They are still digging out,” Graves said. “I am hoping that organizations like Rotary will continue to help those victims. 

“It is all well and good that we are helping people overseas, but in times of crisis at home, we need to help Americans.”