Axel Benitez, 7, his mother Lucia Figueroa, second from left, and his baby sister Jelannie, in the stroller, evacuate from Coney Island with the assistance of friends on Wednesday in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
SOUTHWICK – Moolicious Ice Cream owner Joseph Deedy is collecting donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Deedy said he and his wife have been watching the news every morning as they exercise at the gym and have not seen a big change in the need for supplies in the past week.
“It doesn’t seem to be getting better,” Deedy said.
He made several phone calls and found a place where donations of supplies could be dropped off in New York.
Deedy said some organizations helping victims are only accepting money, and people want to give something they believe will help a family, such as food and clothing. Deedy’s donation drive began when he decided to recruit donations to help send a pallet of bottled water to New York.
“I found out they need coats and blankets and other items,” said Deedy, who listed needed items on the Moolicious Facebook page.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can drop items off at Moolicious, 258 Feeding Hills Road, through 9 p.m. Friday night.
“We are taking a truck down at 5 a.m. Saturday morning,” said Deedy.
He will donate items on Coney Island, where he believes there is the most need right now.
“They were hit hard because the water is right there,” he said. “It seems to be the most desperate area.”
Deedy said other Southwick businesses have “stepped up” to help his efforts.
Moolicious is open from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. However, Deedy said donations can be dropped off any time up until 9 p.m. Friday and left at the door, which is under a covered porch.
