Adams Truck Driver Offering To Drive Donations To New JerseyBy Andy McKeever
iBerkshires Staff
11:02PM / Friday, November 02, 2012
Update: Those wishing to donate to the group can drop off donations at iBerkshires.com's office at 102 Main St., North Adams, between 9 and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 14-16. We will deliver whatever is collected to the group. The Greylock Community Club is also accepting donations.
Items needed include nonperishable food (cans should have pop tops), pet food, diapers, industrial strength garbage bags, rubber work gloves, cleaning supplies including bleach, protective masks and mold cleaner. Heavy duty rubber boots in good condition may also be accepted.
We will not accept clothing or linens. The hurricane relief group has been in contact with emergency services in New Jersey on what is needed in the storm-stricken area.
UPDATE: Wednesday, November 7, 9:10 a.m.
Wayne Piaggi said that clothing donations are no longer needed, but food has became the most important donation.
UPDATE: Monday, November 5, 2012 at 1:45 p.m.
ADAMS, Mass. — Donations will be accepted at the Adams Forest Wardens from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, November 10; Sunday November 11; Saturday November 17 and Sunday, November 18.
Cash contributions can be made through Greylock Federal Credit Union in the Northern Berkshire Hurricane Relief account.
 ADAMS, Mass. — Thursday night in New Jersey, Adams resident and truck driver Wayne Piaggi was "sickened" by the blocks of devastation, lack of food and power and mile-long lines for fuel.
Back in his hometown he knows there are plenty of people who would be willing to help. So Piaggi is offering up his tractor-trailer to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
"Everything possible that could go wrong, did go wrong," Piaggi said Friday afternoon as he recalled a 94-home block he saw destroyed the night before. "It's sickening how devastating it is down there."
Piaggi has never done a fundraising effort before but his family has a history of giving and he hopes to "carry on the legacy" with his almost daily trips to the area hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy.
"I'm there every day. I spend most of my time in New Jersey and New York City," Piaggi, who owns his own truck and drives for Swift Transportation, said. "I see everything first hand."
Friday morning, he put out a call for help. He contacted some friends and Town Administrator Jonathan Butler to organize an effort. The town is helping secure a location for Berkshire residents to drop off food, water and supplies.
Butler said he is "confident" that the town can make space available for donations by Monday after Piaggi provides more detailed plans.
Piaggi said later he will contact North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright to do the same further north.
On the other end, Piaggi said he will be contacting New Jersey and New York government officials and the American Red Cross to make sure the supplies will reach the right people.
"I'm going to contact the Red Cross tonight and find out where they need it the most," Piaggi said. "I'm now figuring out the logistics."
Piaggi said he knows his "role" in the fundraising efforts but is seeking help in figuring out the logistics.
A Facebook page, Northern Berkshire Hurricane Relief, has been set up to keep people apprised of the effort.
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