In response to the devastation left in Hurricane Sandy’s path, a group of Aquidneck Island residents have organized “SOS STATEN ISLAND,” an island-wide drive for the next two weeks, until Sunday, November 18, 2012, to collect clothing and other much-needed household items at convenient drop-off sites in Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth, all for the thousands upon thousands of Staten Island hurricane victims, many of whom are now homeless.

Drop-off sites are in place (until Sunday, November 18, 2012, for delivery by Thanksgiving) at:  Middletown Fire Department on Wyatt Road, Newport
Fire Department (West Marlborough Street, Touro Street and Old Fort Road), Middletown Public Library on East Main Road, Newport Public Library on Spring Street, and Peoples’ Café on Thames Street in Newport. 

The Middletown Fire Department’s drop-off location accepts donations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Additional Aquidneck Island drop-off locations are in the works for Portsmouth and Newport, and will be advertised island-wide as they come on board, as well as on “SOS STATEN ISLAND’S” website, www.Facebook.com/SOSStatenIsland.RI.

The most critical donations requested are:

Clothes (New or Like New), including:

• Jackets
• Coats
• Hats
• Gloves
• Scarves
• Socks
• Sweapants and sweatshirts
• Underwear
• Thermals
• Blankets
• Sheets
• Towels

Food, including:

• Canned goods
• Shelf food
• Bottled Water
• Juice boxes

Baby items, including:

• Baby Clothing (Infant and Toddler)
• Formula
• Diapers 
• Wipes
• Bottles
• Pacifiers

Pet supplies, including:

• Pet food (canned and dry)
• Leashes
• Litter
• Litter pans and scoops
• Bedding
• Treats

Toiletries, including:

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Hairbrushes
• Razors (in clear zip-lock bags)

Other items:

• Heavy duty garbage bags
• Large containers 
• Cleaning products
• Mops
• Paper towels
• Sponges
• Toilet Paper

Additional information can be obtained on the Web at www.Facebook.com/SOSStatenIsland.RI,Twitter@sosstatenisland, by email to SOS.Staten.Island@gmail.com or by telephone to Trish Vasseur at (401) 556-6548. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED AS WELL!!!