How to help locally with Hurricane Sandy relief (Update: Donate today at Hard Rock Cafe)

Photo by Flick user David Berkowitz

Update November 12, 2012: Local media is coming together in an effort to gather donations for those still affected by Hurricane Sandy in the northeast.

You can drop off your monetary donation to Hard Rock Cafe at Broadway at the Beach until 7 p.m. and meet local media personalities from WBTW, WFXB, the Sun News, and more.  Here are more details.


First report: There's no avoiding how devastating the effects of Superstorm Sandy were to those in the northeast and several Grand Strand businesses and organizations are coming together to help.

So many Grand Strand residents came from some of the hardest hit areas.  While I haven't lived there since my teen years, my summers were spent on the Jersey Shore, big hair and all.  It hurts to see the pictures of what has been completely wiped out - a close family friends' beach cottage included.  So many memories were literally washed into the bay.  

One group we received an email from is targeting shelters in New Jersey that are not being served by the American Red Cross - specifically Union Beach, Toms River Fire Department and Central Regional High School.  They're looking for the following items.  Those that are starred are the most needed.

  • Baby food
  • *diapers
  • pull-ups
  • toiletries
  • Tylenol/Advil
  • hair brushes
  • Ziplock bags
  • *McDonald's gift cards (many still w/out power and need a hot meal, so any restaurant chain would work)
  • *new underwear and socks
  • *hats
  • *coats
  • *gloves
  • *work gloves
  • *peanut butter
  • *snack foods
  • *batteries
  • air mattresses
  • baby supplies
  • blankets
  • canned/boxed food
  • kids' toys
  • laundry soap
  • bleach
  • clothes
  • thermal cups with lids
  • trash bags
  • rubber gloves
  • pet food

You can drop off your donations at the following businesses:

Scott B. Umstead, PA, 4226 Mayfair Street, Ste 100, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Centry 21 The Harrelson Group, 4999 Carolina Forest Blvd. Ste 18, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

Crafty Rooster, 1125 3rd Ave., Conway, SC 29526

Cook and Roy, 10409 N. Kings Hwy,. Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

Flynn’s Irish Tavern, 421 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Exclusively Encore Salon, Market Common, 926 Iris St., Unit H. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Pick-up can be arranged by emailing the organizers Melissa and Shannon at melissaerle@gmail.com or shanny@sccoast.net.  If you're interested in shopping online and shipping directly to the shelters in need, they can provide you with addresses.

If you are looking for other ways to contribute, you can donate to the Red Cross online, or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.  The Beaver Bar is also accepting items to be brought up to the effected areas.  You can read more in this Sun News article.

As we learn about more efforts, we'll update the story.  If you know of any, you're welcome to do the same via our Open Community.

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