In the aftermath of the destruction left by Hurricane Sandy local heroes are stepping up. From people who have grown up living at the shore to those who spent summers falling in love and watching their children play; so many have been emotionally affected. Recently I was invited to a facebook book called Jersey Shore “Good Day, Good Night” Bag Drive by my new friend Jen Burden, the founder of World Moms Blog (my favorite social good blog!!) Shannon and Nikki, the women behind the Jersey Shore “Good Day, Good Night” Bag Drive are two local heroes that are creating bags of happiness for children of the families that have lost so much.
WHAT are these bags…Shannon came up with the idea, based on another bag drive that donates night time items to kids in homeless shelters. Shannon said she wanted to put together more for the kids who were suddenly thrown in to the world of shelters. The bags had to be able to have items that not only provided COMFORT, but kept infants through teens OCCUPIED during their days and nights at their shelters and hotels.
Shannon-“I kept picturing my own daughter and what it would be like for her in a shelter or hotel room.”
There is a suggested items checklist (although bag makers are encouraged to be creative!!)
Shannon posted the idea on her own FB page, the Jersey Shore Moms Swap/Sell Site (another site she started, and has grown bigger than she ever thought!) and the Central Jersey Moms Swap/Sell Site. Shannon expected about 10 people to pitch in enough to make one run to a local shelter. BUT, within DAYS, this group grew exponentially and they now have several people collecting the bags, transferring the bags, and making many runs to shelters. They are now starting to make some very big connections!
Who are these women….
Shannon and Nikki are very modest sister-in-laws who both credit the other for their amazingness while downplaying their personal awesomeness! True heroes! Shannon is the brain child who came up with the whole idea. Nikki calls herself Shannon’s willing sister-in-law who has taken in bags and delivered them to those in need. Shannon credits Nikki as being integral part of this movement, by collecting bags, getting the word out to her momma friends, delivering the bags, getting contacts and helping me stay organized!.
Shannon, an 8th grade Social Studies teacher, was not born and raised in NJ. She is originally from Baltimore and has lived at the Shore for almost 17 years. Shannon’s family spends every waking moment of the summer months in Monmouth Beach watching her daughter and Nikki’s son playing on the beach or in Grandma’s backyard.
So many others have been huge in helping spread the word and getting the bags to various shelters in the area. They have teamed up with Soldiers Race Team and who have been getting the bags directly to residents in Union Beach.
Would you like to mail in bags???? Check out their facebook page Jersey Shore “Good Day, Good Night” Bag Drive for details
Below are just a few examples of bags they have received…
Very cute, very nice idea!
This is fantastic, thanks for sharing their story and cause! This is something I could have my kids help me put together to remind them that there are still kids without homes because of the storm. We were in Delaware when it hit and it was scary for them, but we were very lucky to not have any damage. It’s easy to forget that others were not so lucky, so thanks for posting, I’ll check this out.
That’s great Emily!! I love having my kids participate in doing things for others, especially kids. I think there are many lessons taught by this!
I really love this idea. Kids are resilient but having some basic comforts are so important.