TINLEY PARK, Ill. (CBS) – Neighbors in the southern suburbs help them devastated by two recent hurricanes which affected several states by gathering much needed supplies.
Barrels of blankets, gallons of cleaning supplies and more filled the lobby of Tinley Park Village Hall.
“Things we take for granted are in dire need down there,” Colleen Sullivan said.
The images of the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton left many in disbelief.
“Just seeing all the pictures was really heartbreaking to see,” Sullivan said.
Yet Sullivan didn’t just stand by. She quickly started working on an action plan after speaking with a friend from North Carolina.
“She took a three-hour drive to other communities and collected these supplies, paying for them herself,” she said.
So Sullivan, a Tinley Park village trustee, called the mayor.
“Within an hour we had a meeting with staff right before a board meeting,” Mayor Michael Glotz said.
The plan was to ask neighbors in the south suburbs to donate supplies to go south.
“When something happens and there’s a tragedy, they come together to support those in need and it shows,” Glotz said. “When I came in here today, I was absolutely shocked.”
Sullivan pointed out small messages in the supplies that read, “With love from Tinley Park.” Stay strong.’
It wasn’t just supplies that people donated. A local car dealer in Tinley Park heard about the effort and decided to donate a huge vehicle that Mayor and Trustee Sullivan would personally drive to the area.
“We want to make the delivery ourselves and make sure that all the residents who took the time and spent their hard-earned money to help these people,” Glotz said. “We’re going to complete the mission and make sure he reaches the destination he’s going to.”
The pair will drive nine hours to distribute the generosity of their community to the other.
“It’s times like these that make you realize that every day you wake up is a gift,” Glotz said.
