MOUNT CARMEL - It's only a small truck-load, but it will go a long way to help others affected by a recent disaster, thanks to the concern of a borough woman and members of an organization for which she serves as a color guard.
The non-perishible food, toiletries and other necessities are on the way to the East Coast today as the result of a humanitarian effort by Mary Snyder, of 219 S. Beech St., and members of the Catholic Daughters of America Court 588 of Mount Carmel, an organization dedicated to helping others in a time of need.
The impulse to provide needed supplies to victims of the flood-stricken area along the East Coast came to Snyder when she visited a relative in an area hospital this week. In a conversation with a tearful nurse's aide whose own relative is one of the many victims of the floods, rain and high winds of Hurricane Sandy, Snyder heard a first-hand account of the devastation.
Thousands were left homeless and without electrical power in the aftermath of the superstorm, dubbed the worst in America' history.
"I just couldn't stop thinking that I wanted to do something," Snyder said while sorting through a large number of donated items on the sidewalk in front of her home.
The Mount Carmel woman said her compassion intensified on the way home from the hospital.
"'OK God,' I said, 'I'm ready to go to work,'" Snyder recalled.
Deciding to collect food and other necessities for the victims, she contacted members of the Catholic Daughter of America to enlist their help.
"It spread like wildfire," she declared. With the assistance of Judy Hooper, vice president, and other members of the CDA, along with friends, neighbors and other residents of Mount Carmel, a consolidated effort was launched. The response was instantaneous. Within 24 hours, the number of items collected was sufficient to fill a pickup truck beyond capacity.
On Friday morning, the front sidewalk at Snyder's home looked like a small grocery store after many residents of the community dropped off donations augmenting the collecting my CDA members.
"It was worth the effort," she commented, expressing thanks and appreciation to everyone who participated. "It shows our community will respond to help others when there is a need."
The truck-load of supplies will be taken to a distribution center in New York or New Jersey.