MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Many organizations have pitched in to help victims of Hurricane Sandy but one Vermont man is going to the disaster area on his own
Toby Wells is packing up as much supplies as he can before heading to Staten Island to donate it to local shelters. Sunday in Montpelier he was getting some extra help from anyone who could pitch in.
In a parking lot off State Street Wells was quickly filling a trailer full of goods for people devastated by Sandy.
"It's been amazing people walking by and seeing the sign and just going over to the grocery store and buying a big bag of food and coming back and saying ‘here's what I can do to pitch in,'" Wells said.
The former AmeriCorps member has experience providing support to people who need it most. He spent three years in war-torn Angola in Africa as a development project leader. It won't take him quite as far as Africa but his drive to Staten Island and the supplies he's brining to two different shelters is desperately needed.
But before Wells goes and drops off the supplies at the local trailers he'll be taking a stop at his great aunt's house who lives in Staten Island.
"It was damaged pretty severely from what I heard so I was going down and I said well I might as well take my trailer and talk to people and see if I can fill it up with things," Wells said.
Nearly 30 people stopped by to drop off supplies, food and water while I was talking with Wells. Many of them with different reasons behind their generosity.
"People were so good to us during Irene," donator Claire Fitz said.
"We can't not do this."
Wells might be going it alone to Staten island but he'll be bringing the thoughtful donations of many Vermonters who know what it's like to suffer after the storm.
Wells will be leaving Vermont for Staten Island around noon Monday but if you want to drop off some supplies for sandy victims you can meet him at 198 South Main Street in Northfield, VT.
