Specialty Advertising Industry Helping Victims of Hurricane Sandy

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) and The SAAGNY Foundation have begun efforts to coordinate the collection and distribution of items available through the specialty advertising industry. Many industry companies have provided goods and services to assist this effort. Some companies have donated pallet loads of items to the effort, others have gathered supplies from friends and neighbors, and others have agreed to serve as drop-off locations. In the first two weeks following the storm, goods and materials have already been delivered to relief centers on the New Jersey shore and in Staten Island, Queens and Long Island, N.Y.

Collection locations are available in Neptune, N.J.; Kendall Park, N.J.; Woodcliff Lake, N.J.; Tarrytown, N.Y.; Staten Island, N.Y.; and Hewlett, N.Y. Amsley Promotions in Neptune, N.J. has volunteered to serve as the primary distribution center and has offered warehouse space in its facility to house the many donations being made. The warehouse is located at 3535 Route 66, Bldg. 1, (Parkway 100), in Neptune, and is open from 9-4 to accept deliveries. Arrangements can be made to pick items up locally.

"As a community focusing on our strengths, we're all pulling together to help," said Amy A. Mallet, CAS, president of Amsley Promotions and former Monmouth County Freeholder. "As a provider of branded products including corporate safety programs, our industry distribution channels provide access in obtaining items needed during this period of relief and recovery. Products including hats, gloves, flashlights, warm apparel, bags and more have been donated by our partnering factories from throughout the country who are generously helping our area during this time of crisis," she said. "All donations will go a long way to helping many individuals who have lost so much."

A team of volunteers from SAAGNY and The SAAGNY Foundation are dividing the donations and delivering them to relief centers throughout the impacted areas of New York and New Jersey, including the New Jersey shore, Staten Island, Coney Island, N.Y., the Rockaways section of Queens, N.Y., and several locations on Long Island.