SPRINGFIELD – The Catholic Charities Agency of the Diocese of Springfield is calling for donations for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. 

A Nov. 5 press release from the local agency stated, “We have received information from Catholic Charities USA and other Catholic Charities affiliates in the New York and New Jersey areas that countless families have lost homes, automobiles and all their possessions. These families will need all the help they can get to rebuild their lives, their homes and some semblance of normalcy. 

“The task ahead is enormous,” the press release stated. “It will take the efforts of many and the contributions from those of us who were blessed to be spared the catastrophic effects of this storm.”

Catholic Charities USA, the national affiliate, is coordinating all levels of Hurricane Sandy disaster relief. According to local Catholic Charities director Kathryn Buckley-Brawner, “We can do our part to help CCUSA provide services to those most in need in the affected areas.   CCUSA has been most generous to us in this diocese as we recover from the devastation of the 2011 tornado and hurricane Irene. 

“Now we have the opportunity to help save lives, rebuild homes, and restore hope for others who are facing the daunting task of clean-up, repair and recovery,” said Buckley-Brawner. Catholic Charities USA will distribute the donated funds to the local Catholic Charities in the areas affected, so that relief efforts will directly benefit the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Donations are being taken to assist families and individuals with shelter, food, and other immediate and long-term needs. Checks can be made out and sent to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Springfield - Hurricane Sandy Victims’ Fund, 65 Elliot St., Springfield, MA  01102. Donations also may be made directly to Catholic Charities USA online at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

“We ask, too, for prayers for those who lost their lives in this storm, for their families who mourn them, and for all the individuals and families coping with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy,” the press release stated.