Local aid organizations ask for assistance in Sandy's aftermath

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati chapter of the American Red Cross and Matthew 25 Ministries are calling on Tri-State residents to give a little to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Tim Mettey, disaster relief coordinator and CEO of Matthew 25, said his organization has been preparing to send aid for the last week.

"Our advance team will go out in the next several days and then we'll start sending our aid in," said Mettey.

Residents of the Tri-State are very generous, he added, and once again they will be called upon to help.

"Right now we're asking for cleaning supplies, personal care items, blankets, not perishable food, water, things like that," Mettey said.

Matthew 25 is always accepting supplies but right now volunteers aren't needed for Sandy relief until Nov. 6.

"This week we are getting ready for our Fighting Hunger 5K this Saturday, so we are closed to volunteers right now," he said.

Tuesday, however, Mettey announced that part of the proceeds raised for local food banks will be diverted to Sandy relief.

Meanwhile, the Greater Cincinnati-Dayton chapter of the American Red Cross is continuing its first responder mission.

"We are in close contact with national headquarters," said Trish Smitson, CEO of the chapter.

"We have already sent 19 people to the northeast and two of our emergency response vehicles," Smitson added.

Volunteers are dispersed into four states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Also, the chapter is preparing to send more volunteers but doesn't need "spontaneous volunteers" at this time.

"We do appreciate the generosity of donors and there are many ways to give. One very easy way to give is to text Red Cross 90999 or you can go to our website at Redcross.org," explained Smitson.

Recovery efforts on the eastern seaboard are going to continue for quite awhile and both organizations say they appreciate whatever sustaining support people can provide.