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.
“In the face of tragedies around the country, our industry has always stepped to the forefront to aid those most severely impacted,” said SAAGNY President Alan Baker, MAS. “This time is no different. The people and companies of the promotional products industry are making a difference in big ways and small ways to help those who so desperately need it.”
SAAGNY and The SAAGNY Foundation are accepting donations of the following items: new coats and outerwear, hats, gloves, socks, blankets, plastic and nonwoven bags, personal hygiene items (including but not limited to toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer, lip balms, etc.), cleaning supplies and baby items (diapers, wipes and food). Unfortunately, we are unable to accept other items at this time.
Rhonda Blum, chair of The SAAGNY Foundation, added, “The good news is that so many people have given so much already. The bad news is so much more is still needed. The stories may start to fade from the news coverage, but the demand will be there for many months. The SAAGNY Foundation stands ready to do what we can for as long as our friends, neighbors and colleagues need our help.”
In addition to those items listed above, SAAGNY and The SAAGNY Foundation are collecting gift cards for The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco and BJs, all of which will be used to purchase additional supplies. The SAAGNY Foundation has created a Hurricane Sandy Disaster Fund and is accepting cash donations for that fund. All money donated to that fund will be used to purchase items that the relief centers we are working with have identified as priority needs. All donations to The SAAGNY Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, are deductible to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.
Gift cards to the stores listed above and checks (payable to The SAAGNY Foundation—please note Hurricane Sandy relief fund on the memo line) may be mailed to:
Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund
The SAAGNY Foundation
188 Broadway, Suite 2
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677
A credit card donation form to complete and fax back is available at www.saagny.org.
About SAAGNY:
The Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) represents the distributors, suppliers and decorators of imprinted promotional products in New York, parts of New Jersey and parts of Connecticut. The association is primarily engaged in promoting business relationships between and among industry practitioners, providing continuing education to industry practitioners and monitoring legislative activities in the three state capitals and in Washington, DC.
About The SAAGNY Foundation
The SAAGNY Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization, recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. The Foundation’s primary focus is on providing hands-on volunteer experiences for underprivileged and ill children and seniors in the New York metropolitan area. All donations to The SAAGNY Foundation are tax deductible to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Service.
About Amsley Promotions
Amsley Promotions is an award-winning promotional marketing and advertising company serving clients of all sizes in many different industries. Amsley Promotions is a winner of multiple SAAGNY Diamond Awards and its president, Amy Mallet, CAS, was named one of New Jersey’s 50 Best Women in Business by NJBIZ magazine and the prestigious Spinnaker Award for Public Service by the Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce.
