Grassroots Effort in Andover Bringing Tons of Supplies to Sandy Victims

Andover moms Carlene Merola Alpert and Diane Dillon began talking shortly after Hurricane Sandy about starting a collection for those in need. With the help of another Andover mother, Lynette Cavanaugh and North Andover mom Lyndsay Dowd, the group now has roughly two tractor trailers worth of goods for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Alpert and Dillon said that it really has showed the the power of the human spirit and all of the good will that has come from the town of Andover. They named the group Sending Sunshine 2012.

From large companies donating the shipping to elementary school kids working relentlessly to sort goods, Sending Sunshine 2012 has seen goodness coming from every corner of the community.

The group has collected a variety of goods from kids and baby clothes, to food, to buckets donated from Home Depot in Nashua.

Bob's Discount Furniture and Gentle Giant are donating the shipping costs to get the goods down to New Jersey and New York, the places where the need is the greatest.

The group is working out of the former Moor and Mountain space at 3 Railroad St., which was also donated to them by the owner of the building.

As of Wednesday, the entire bottom floor was completely filled with goods and roughly half of the second floor was filled as well.

Find out more about Sending Sunshine 2012 on their facebook page: facebook.com/sendingsunshine2012.