Coastal Aid to host volunteers Nov. 12 at Bethany Blues Lewes

It's been one year since Hurricane Sandy hit the coast and the entire Northeast felt the wrath of one of the largest and most destructive hurricanes in the nation's history. A tremendous numberof people felt the impact as the East was severely affected for months.

During this time many organizations, both local and federal, were accepting various forms of donations including food, clothes, money, tools, and other much needed materials for survival.

As part of a similar coastal community many in the Cape Region were very aware that it could have easily been in the storm's path. Wanting to help friends to the north, local residents Chip Thompson, Jenn Jones and Kevin Roberts spearheaded a special event in hopes of raising funds to help support the relief efforts aiding the rebuilding of affected areas of New Jersey.

In a very short timeframe, with the help of volunteers and the Center for the Inland Bays who helped in the previous relief efforts during the Gulf oil spill tragedy, another event was created known as Delaware Coast Aid. In less than two weeks the event held at the Rusty Rudder complex Nov. 12 of last year, quickly raised more than $60,000 in monetary aid. In addition to local money raised, private donations were also accepted, bringing the totals to over $100,000. The money raised was then allocated to organizations focused on the rebuilding and recovery of the devastated areas.

Soon thereafter the threesome formed what is known today as Coast Aid, a recognized tax exempt 501c3 nonprofit organization who's main purpose will be to assist other groups and charities, both in and out of state, focused on similar relief efforts such as support and rebuilding when disasters take place.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 4 p.m., Bethany Blues Lewes will host a happy hour for all of the volunteers who helped make last year's event a true story of success during one of the most tragic natural disasters in recent history.

Their primary goal will be to develop Coast Aid into a nonprofit organization that can be proactive in its efforts to raise funds for relief and recovery of severely impacted areas affected by disasters.