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Jamesport FD accepting donations for storm victims

JENNIFER GUSTAVSON PHOTO | The Jamesport Fire Department is accepting donations for storm victims.

The Jamesport Fire Department is now accepting donations for storm victims that were hit the hardest last week.

Jamesport Fire Chief Duffy Griffiths said he started the volunteer effort after learning about the difficulties people have had with receiving emergency supplies in the Rockaways and Long Beach areas. Mr. Griffiths said he learned about the issue through the Facebook group “Cancel the 2012 NYC Marathon,” which has become an online resource for storm relief efforts. He said the donations will most likely be dropped off in the Rockaways and Long Beach area, but hasn’t decided on specific locations yet.

“Tomorrow we’ll head west with the supplies,” he said. “We’ll drop off them off where they are needed most.”

Fire officials said coats, warm clothes, work gloves and rain gear are most desirous. The fire department is also accepting other types of clothing, shoes, bottle water, non-perishable food, household items and toiletries.

Ex-chief and volunteer firefighter John Anderson said the fire department could fill its trailer twice with all of the donations it received this weekend alone.

“Some people brought water, food, macaroni and cheese — all the good stuff,” he said Monday morning. “The response has been great.”

A red and white tent has been erected at the firehouse on Manor Lane where donated items can be dropped off at any time. Monetary donations can be mailed to the Jamesport Fire Department, P.O. Box 78, Jamesport, NY, 11947. Fire officials said “hurricane relief” should be noted in the memo area on personal checks.

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