Sandy Donations in East Cobb This Week

What started as a service project for East Side Elementary School's Cub Scout Pack 744 quickly turned into a widespread initiative to help storm victims in the hardest-hit areas in the Northeast.

Pack 744 Committee Chairperson Chris Kleinrichert wanted to do the annual service project in a manner that would be both meaningful for the boys and reach beyond the community of East Cobb. Hurricane Sandy delivered such a terrible blow and with weather getting colder by the week, the decision was made to send warm clothing to the hardest hit areas.

Coordinating with the Staten Island American Red Cross, and Cub Scout units in the New York/New Jersey area a plan was quickly in place. The administration at East Side Elementary immediately approved collection at the school every morning during the week of Nov. 12-16, thus allowing for a quick relief effort.

Through word of mouth, by the end of the first day, additional packs and schools wanted to participate as well. Scout District Executive Katie Gunn heard about the project and asked Mrs. Kleinrichert to help spread the word to every Cub Pack in the District.

Within two days, collection sites had been set up at Mathnasium of East Cobb and Marietta Sports Car, with the Cobb County PTA spreading the word to every school in the county. This is a great way for the kids to feel a sense of service and to assist many people who have lost so much.

Donations of new winter clothing are requested, including hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, coats, and blankets for men, women, and children. Cash will also be accepted, with 100 percent going to victim relief.

All collections will be accepted at Mathnasium of East Cobb, 1205 Johnson Ferry Road, or Marietta Sportscar, 1616 Roswell Road.

For more information call 770-578-6170.