'Operation Sandy Claus' Starts Gift Drive

Operation Sandy Claus has entered Phase 2.

The Superstorm Sandy relief effort, born out of East Hanover resident Danielle Baranowski's desire to teach her daughter's Daisy Troop about giving back, has announced it is running a gift drive.

 The group worked with St. Justin's Church in Toms River to identify individuals who could use gifts this holiday season, and people volunteered on the group's Facebook page to shop for them.

Once all of the individuals were assigned to someone, they announced a general gift drive for children ages 1 to 12. Operation Sandy Claus is accepting gifts until Dec. 14:

Please consider donating a toy to our gift drive! You can help make the day of a child who has lost everything in the hurricane. No gifts are too small! We will be accepting gifts from now until December 14th!

The first phase of Operation Sandy Claus launched a few weeks ago. With the help of East Hanover school PTAs and donations dropped off at Kitchell Memorial Church, the group delivered two moving trucks of donations to St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Toms River.

Donated items ultimately included toiletries, new bedding, diapers, wipes, clothes, blankets, toys, batteries, garbage bags, mops and buckets.

"You name it, it was in there," Baranowski said.

Now, the focus has turned toward establishing a North Pole satellite operation in East Hanover.

I'm going to need wrapping elves and a Santa. I know someone has to know a jolly ole' man with a belly and white beard! Let me know!

For more information visit the Operation Sandy Claus Facebook page.