NBC 40 delivers good news to Ventnor

Last Updated on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 04:42 pm Written by SHAUN SMITH Wednesday, November 14, 2012 11:33 am

Taking a break from unloading donations are Ventnor school board president Lisa Martinell, NBC 40 anchor Michelle Dawn Mooney, NBC 40 chief meteorologist Dan Skeldon, relief coordinator Mike Advena of Ventnor, and Rev. James Macabeo, pastor of the Way of Life Assembly of God in Ventnor.

VENTNOR – Two truckloads of supplies were delivered here through the NBC 40 Sandy Relief Effort.

Just after 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9 NBC 40 chief meteorologist Dan Skeldon and news anchor Michelle Dawn Mooney arrived with the second truck to drop off donations at the community building on Newport Avenue.

The NBC 40 news team collected donations through the week and also camped out overnight Thursday, Nov. 8 into Friday in the studio’s Linwood parking lot.

In all, the relief effort collected 15 box trucks worth of food and supplies and raised $6,000 for the American Red Cross.

“The response has been amazing,” Mooney said at the community building.

In addition, Mooney wrote a song, “Rescue Me,” which is available for purchase on iTunes for 99 cents. The proceeds from sales will benefit the American Red Cross. See https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rescue-me-single/id577478755.

The community building has served as a distribution center for people in Ventnor who are in need after the destruction of Hurricane Sandy.

“The last truck you brought us, everything went out in two hours,” said organizer Mike Advena of Ventnor.

He said the city is coordinating with other municipalities to see what supplies can be shared. Advena said the city sent clothing to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Atlantic City.

“Nothing goes to waste because everyone needs something,” Skeldon said.

Advena said he put out a request on Facebook, and when the truck arrived, nearly 50 volunteers showed up to help unload the supplies.

Among them was Lisa Martinelli, president of the Ventnor school board, who said it was wonderful to see the outpouring of help to mitigate the pain city residents are feeling.

Steve Rice, who is on the city’s Planning and Zoning boards, was also one of the volunteers.

“It’s gut-wrenching. I had to take care of my own situation so I couldn’t help out with my city as much as I would have liked,” Rice said. “So many more people have it worse off than I did. They’re suffering. I like to help any way I can.”

Photos by Shaun Smith

Dan Skeldon, NBC 40 chief meteorologist, hands off donations to Ventnor school board President Lisa Martinelli.  

Photos by Quinn Advena

Ventnor resident Steve Rice carries boxes of donated goods.   Ventnor residents Liam Advena, 10, Michael Advena and Scott Hennis form a chain to move the donations.   Donna Bradshaw of Ventnor hands a bag of donated food to volunteers waiting to receive it.   Alison Gery, 11, stacks donated goods to carry into the community building.