Mormon Congregation Collects Donations For Sandy Victims

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Essex packed two trucks full of thousands of dollars worth of clothing to help families in New York and New Jersey struck by Superstorm Sandy, the church announced.

In a press release, the church said 250 volunteers gathered 500 boxes of clothing and $16,400 in gift cards, packing two 32-foot trucks, which left Tuesday morning from the church building on Stemmers Run Road.

Craig Halsey, president of the Baltimore Stake of the church, stated that he was "overwhelmed by the generous response. We never expected such abundance. We had to rent an extra truck to fit all of the boxes. It is truly inspiring to witness so many people following Jesus Christ’s admonition to serve others.”

Several church members collected money for the effort from elsewhere via Paypal. The drive, announced Saturday, was part of Mormon Helping Hands, a charity program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.