School may be closed on Thursday and Friday, but you might notice some activity in the Upper Elementary School parking lot on Thursday morning.
The Moorestown Education Association (MEA) organized a Moorestown Community supply drop off to aid individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy’s devastation. After supplies are collected, MEA members are driving down the supplies on Thursday, Nov. 8, to Atlantic City.
Originally, teachers were planning to attend the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Convention on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9. The convention was cancelled due to damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. But the cancelled convention is not stopping members from making a trip down to AC.
Some teachers visited communities affected by Hurricane Sandy, and brainstorming to help victims of Sandy started.
Matthew Stuart, a special education teacher at UES, said the group originally thought to take supplies top Long Beach Island or Brigantine. The possibility of not being able to drive into those locations to deliver the supplies turned their eyes toward Atlantic City.
He said 10 to 15 people are aiding in the delivery of the supplies.
“If we won’t be in school on Thursday and Friday, what can we do in that time,” Stuart said while explaining how the plan to take the trip appeared.
Plans for the trip were finalized on Monday after a weekend long discussion about details of the supply drop off, and where to deliver the supplies, UES fourth grade teacher Terry O’Brien said.
O’Brien said the goal is to make the delivery in one trip, but the second trip on Friday might need to be made.
He is expecting about 100 people to donated supplies.
Tomorrow, teachers wanting to participate are asked to bring supplies to their school buildings. But the donations will not stop there.
Anyone else in the community wishing to donate supplies can drive over to UES on Thursday, Nov. 8, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Stuart said supplies such as flat-head shovels, empty gas cans, cleaning supplies (bucket, gloves, sponges and a cleaner), as well as gallons of water.
An ongoing collection of personal hygiene supplies are also being accepted. But Stuart said those supplies will not be delivered on Thursday.
The MEA is collecting supplies at Upper Elementary School on 325 Barton Landing Road, on Thursday, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Stay tuned — The Sun is will be at Upper Elementary School taking photos of the MEA and teaching staff loading up the trucks before the trip.
