Jackson County Supervisor John McKay
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Jackson County Supervisor John McKay is asking for the community's support in a Hurricane Sandy relief effort that will help 2 hard-hit New Jersey towns.
The county is joining forces with Ocean Springs, Gautier, Pascagoula and Moss Point for a donation drive, which will last through noon Friday.
"The most needed items are cleaning materials, such as brooms, mops and cleaning products," McKay said. "Food goods are always in demand, and since it's so cold up there, cold weather gear such as jackets and clean blankets are needed."
Residents may drop off items and any of the central fire stations within the cities or at rural volunteer fire departments through Friday.
The county will consolidate the goods, and Gautier-based F & H Trucking has agreed to deliver it to New Jersey.
Chevron Corp. has also agreed to share the fuel costs of the relief effort, McKay said.
Terry Jackson, deputy director of Jackson County Emergency Management, was mobilized through the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to help in the relief efforts in New Jersey.
A portion of the goods will go to where he is stationed, and other items will go to Monmouth County.
"(Jackson) said they're a very hard hit area," McKay said. "There is a lot of home, street and infrastructure damage, and power is still out in a lot of locations."
So far, McKay said, participation has been light.
"We hope that people will step forward and give us some items to take up there so that we can help those who have helped us in the past," he said.