Idaho volunteers to help Hurricane Sandy victims, and ABC will air special campaign

CREATED Nov. 2, 2012

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  • Jennifer Auh reports on Idaho volunteers being deployed to the East Coast. Video by IdahoOnYourSide.com

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With the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, folks on the East Coast need as much assistance as possible, and Idaho is doing its share, sending six volunteers so far to help out.

Red Cross workers told us the volunteers from Idaho, should be out in the hardest hit areas, either in New York or New Jersey.
   
"I just received a call few minutes ago to be deployed into New York," said Wade Gayler with the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho.

According to volunteers, many people don’t have even basic necessities, such as soap and tooth brushes. They told us so many victims need help, because many folks didn't expect Hurricane Sandy to really become a superstorm.

"People, who left their home for Hurricane Isaac found it not ending up quite as big as they expected. This time they waited at home, thinking it was going to be another Isaac. Of course it wasn't," said Barbara Fawcett with the American Red Cross of Greater Idaho.

Volunteers are feeding, sheltering families and helping victims contact their loved ones.

Many here in Idaho said they've heard stories from those already deployed. "One of the volunteers I talked to, Jody, she had to get through motels using a flashlight. She sent me pictures of Walmart shelves that are empty, she had difficulty finding gas for the rental vehicle she's using," said Gayler.

Sounds like something from a movie, but it's a reality for thousands.

Red Cross workers said it’s not just food and money they need, but also blood. "There have been 300 blood drives canceled because the East Coast closed down," said Fawcett.

ABC and Disney will reach out to viewers on Monday, November 5th, as ‘a Day of Giving.’ The campaign will air on ABC, during many of our shows throughout the day, starting from ‘Good Morning America’ to as late as ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live.’