Lincoln County responds to Staten Island and Rockaway communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy

Damariscotta, Maine - Families in the towns of Rockaway and Staten Island, New York need our help, and we are hoping the communities and people of Lincoln County will respond generously. Many will recall the overwhelming local response to the hurricanes of 2005 when the Wells-Hussey American Legion Post #42 and Ladies Auxiliary sent a truck loaded with donated goods and food to the needy in Florida.  Larry Sidelinger, owner of Yankee Pride Transportation, Inc. of Damariscotta, drove that truck, and he says that “Paying it forward is great, I want to do it again, and the Legion and Auxiliary are more than willing to help us again”. Russ Williams, Kieve’s 9/11 Family Camp Director, has been in touch with several of the FDNY families from the affected communities and will be working with them to coordinate the delivery of donated goods from families and businesses in our community.

As reported on the national news, these New York communities have suffered extensive losses of homes and property damage. Steve O’Sullivan, one of the firemen who has been coming to Kieve’s 9/11 Family Camp every summer since 2002, said on Monday of his community in Rockaway “it’s like Katrina here – our whole town is devastated”. A retired FDNY fireman and 9/11 Family Camp participant, Woody Forsyth of Staten Island and his family are asking for help to provide for over 400 people living in the school across the street from their home.  These communities need everything from generators to blankets, shovels, socks, diapers and pet food (see more items below). With temperatures dropping, warm clothes of all sizes are in great demand.


Sidelinger has delivered a 53’ van trailer truck on loan from Northeast Transport of Warren that is available as a drop-off point for all donations in front of the American Legion hall in Damariscotta beginning Wednesday, November 7th  until Friday, November 16th. The truck will be open weekdays from noon until 4 PM and weekends from 10 AM until 3 PM. To volunteer to help load the truck, please call Jerry Gifford 380-4941.

The following is a partial list of items needed (sent via text from O’Sullivan in Rockaway): Heaters, Batteries (especially C and D), Flashlights, Shovels, Contractor Trash Bags, Wheel Barrows, Generators, Water Pumps, Work Gloves, Brooms, Spray Bleach, Cleaning Supplies, Socks, Rubber & Winter Boots, Shoes, Winter Coats, hats, gloves, Toiletries, cleaning supplies, diapers, bottled water, work clothes, pet food, hand sanitizer, blankets, laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, Clorox wipes, deodorant and non-perishable foods.

Clothes should be clean and, if possible, sorted and marked by size. It is very important to mark boxes with a list of contents.  With the generosity of every person, business and organization, we can fill this truck and deliver it to those in need quickly.

Finally, cash and check donations can be made to the American Legion for the express purpose of Hurricane Sandy Relief. Visit our Facebook page at “Facebook.com/HurricaneReliefFromMaine” for more info and to follow our progress.

For additional information, please contact Larry Sidelinger at 632-4878, Russ Williams 329-1161 or Gail Gifford at 380-4942.