Alumni Help Victims of Sandy

Hamden Hall alumni put their lessons in community service to work over the past weekend by collecting and delivering goods to victims of Hurricane Sandy on Staten Island. Classmates from 1992 started collecting items Friday afternoon.

By Saturday morning, they had amassed more supplies than their two pickup trucks could handle, so they reached out to Tyson Zahner’s father and packed up his box truck too!

One pickup left New Haven empty to stop by 1992 classmate Jena Axelrod's place in Queens. Jena, a comedian, had reached out to her audience Friday night during her show, Wine and Wit, at Uncorked Wine and Tapas. Jena, who called her classmates’ efforts “inspiring,” collected enough goods (and money too!) to fill up the truck!

In the meantime, the other pickup and box truck moved on, battling “unbelievable” traffic. “Our perseverance finally allowed us to reach the disaster zone,” said Chris Candido. “We hooked up with a pastor from a church, and we were in the heart of the trouble. Everyone received us with open arms.”

Tyson, on his Facebook page, along with fellow 1992 road warriors—Chris Candido, Chris Nicotra and Justin Carbone—thanked “everyone” who helped them pull their good will together in less than 40 hours.

“We were eight blocks from the ocean, yet the damage was severe,” Tyson reported. “Not a house was spared. Literally, people's entire worldly possessions were strewn about the streets. The items we supplied were very much needed. The number of thank you's and bless you's were unimaginable. The camaraderie of the people there to help each other and us was a sight to see. Complete strangers just pitched in whatever they could to help each other.“

Moved by what they saw, the Hamden Hallers will be back at it again this weekend, planning a second delivery Sunday. To learn more or see photos of “our” men at work, visit facebook.com/4Peeps2Trucks.

Tyson noted they are concentrating on recovery items this time. “For those who are comfortable with it, cash and check donations are very helpful. It helps defray transportation costs, as well as allowing us to be flexible with the items we acquire as the victims’ needs are continuously changing. What they need today may not be what they need tomorrow.”

Email Tyson or Chris for more information at at tysonz@gmail.com and cmcandido@aol.com.

Bleach
Flat shovels
Push brooms
Cleaning supplies
Masks
Gloves
Disinfectants
Blankets
Batteries
Flashlights

The Barking Lot-940 Sherman Ave., Hamden (not between 12pm and 2pm)

Southern CT Chiropractic, 101 Elizabeth St., Derby, CT

Naugatuck Family Chiropractic, 25 Cherry St., Naugatuck, CT

North Haven Senior Center, 189 Pool Road, in North Haven, CT

Temple Grill (monetary donations only at this location), 152 Temple St., New Haven, CT

The Jay Tolisano Mortgage Company, 830 Post Road, E Suite 301, Westport, CT