SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Actor and New York native Billy Baldwin was out here on the Central Coast today spreading the holiday cheer. He joined in with a group working to help Superstorm Sandy victims.
"To be able to be of service and to give back from 3,000 miles away is meaningful but to do it on Thanksgiving Day is particularly meaningful," says Baldwin.
Direct Relief International was in charge the event. Volunteers worked tirelessly to put together 1,000 personal care kits for Superstorm Sandy victims. The immense turnout from the public to help out left event organizers, and even Baldwin, in awe.
Thomas Tighe, CEO and President of Direct Relief International, said, "we thought that about 4 people would show up on Thanksgiving morning so we are just stunned and thrilled and so thankful to people spending their Thanksgiving coming out to help."
Baldwin said, "the line just keeps going out the door and down the block. A lot of my family friends, my kids' classmates and their parents are here. It means so much to me that they would come here today to try and help out those that are not just impacted from the storm, but suffering."
FedEx will be shipping out the care packages for free. And it will take just a few days for the packages get to Sandy victims.
"This stuff will be packed today," says Baldwin. "It will be put on a pallet and will be out their in 72 hours."
Direct Relief International has already sent 25 care package shipments to clinics and health centers affected by Sandy. That's more than half a million dollars worth of supplies.
