Watkins firefighters collect items for 'Sandy' victims

    WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen Fire Department has collected nearly four truckloads of supplies in just two days for survivors of northeast storm “Sandy” in the New York metro and New Jersey areas.
    Fire company Director Keith Caslin said the idea started Thursday, Nov. 1, and donation requests were sent out the next day. He said the supplies came in Sunday and Monday. Bags of clothes, food, and even toys covered most of the common room floor by Monday evening.
    While the fire department initially asked for items by Monday evening, Caslin said they will gladly accept donations until Thursday or Friday. By then the department expects to deliver the goods by U-Haul trucks to the affected areas. Caslin said he has contacted the fire departments and the representatives in the areas hit hardest by the storm to figure out where the donations will be sent.
    Caslin said donations have been coming in from across the region and even from Pennsylvania. He explained people from Horseheads, Binghamton, and even Wyoming and Tioga, Pa., have contributed supplies.
    “The outpouring is phenomenal,” said Caslin.
    By Monday, he estimated it would take four U-Haul trucks, which Watkins firefighters will drive, to deliver all of the donations. However, to make the trip Caslin said the department needs to raise funds as well to cover the transport and fuel costs. He explained they need to bring gasoline with them, because the affected areas are dealing with fuel shortages.
    For people interested in donating the department is looking for: clothing for all ages (especially winter coats and boots), blankets, disposable diapers, and canned or nonperishable food items (including baby formula). School supplies and toys are also welcome.
    For more, call Caslin at 607-427-4302, Judson Smith at 607-857-4544, or Dominick Smith at 607-857-3471.