Lots of Local Heart for Sandy Victims

Victims of Superstorm Sandy in northern New Jersey got some much-needed supplies of clothing, food, water, blankets and other items straight from the heart of Barrington last Thursday.

Grapes & Grains and Heartworks of Barrington collaborated on a drive to collect items for victims of the storm in the town of Rumson in Monmouth County, NJ. Rumson sits southeast of Staten Island not far from where the hurricane made landfall.

The location was selected because the liquor store’s general manager, Peter Andrews, has a former girlfriend whose family lives there. The items were driven there on Thursday, Nov. 8.

“It’s a town very much like Barrington,” Andrews said. “Places in that town, like some of the bars and restaurants where we used to hang out, are just gone now.”

Andrews said he promoted the collection on Grapes & Grain’s Facebook page and through Heartworks, the Barrington group that does individual good deed for people. Within four days, he said: “We filled up an SUV, a small U-Haul truck and my car.”

Matt Amaral, who owns Grapes & Grains, said: “The response was surprisingly overwhelming. And as  a resident, it is heartwarming that so many residents responded to our request for items. These gestures by local residents support my strong genuine feelings about our community.”

“Many mornings we would arrive to the shop to find bags at the door,” he said. “This displays the selflessness and generosity of our community during times of hardships.  Barrington is a great community and these actions from local residents give me a good feeling about doing business in Barrington.”