Joliet firm aids storm relief
By Tony Graf tgraf@stmedianetwork.com November 14, 2012 10:00PM
Charlie Mikan, a driver from Coal City, stands with children from Temple Beth-El in Northbrook, before delivering donated goods to New Jersey in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. SUBMITTED PHOTO.
Updated: December 19, 2012 12:03PM
JOLIET — A Joliet trucking company drove donated goods, free of charge, to New Jersey to help people suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
CR Transport is a family-owned business with offices on East Washington Street in Joliet. Last week, the company received a call from a customer on the North Side of Chicago. The customer wanted donations shipped to the East Coast from two Jewish temples in Chicago’s north suburbs.
Temple Beth-El in Northbrook and Temple Jeremiah in Northfield had donated supplies for the hurricane aftermath. Goods included diapers, water, cleaning supplies, batteries, clothes, shoes and blankets.
“They asked me if we would like to help them donate by maybe paying for half the cost of the truck,” said Matt Campo, vice president of logistics at CR Transport. “And I took the liberty of just saying, ‘I’d like to handle the whole job for you’ — being that they’re a good customer with us.”
“They were pretty thrilled,” Campo said.
Quick action
Campo called up a friend and lined up a 40-foot box van from Baudino Farms, of Mazon. He sent a driver, Scott Horvath, to pick up the trailer.
The next day, Campo and driver Charlie Mikan went to the two temples and loaded the trailer. On Tuesday, Mikan, a longtime driver from Coal City, drove the donated goods to Temple Shalom in Aberdeen, N.J.
“Service is our key over here, and he really did a great job to help these people in distress,” Campo said, crediting Mikan. He also credits Horvath and Baudino Farms for their roles.
The whole project was completed in about one week.
“We were able to set the trailer up, pick up the much-needed goods, and get them delivered out there with no problems, no issues whatsoever,” Campo said.
CR Transport, owned by the D’Orazio family of Joliet, is a flatbed, step-deck specialized carrier that runs out of Joliet, with additional offices in Ohio and Dallas.
Local drive
In Will and Grundy counties, families are working to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The Coal City Parent School Organization is working with the United Way in a donation drive.
Contributors are asked to send in donations by Monday. Items being collected include:
Personal care items: Shampoo, soap, deodorant, razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers and baby-care items.
Nonperishable food items: Soups, canned meats, tuna, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, oatmeal, powdered milk and juice boxes.
Gift cards: For gas and groceries, in $10 to $25 denominations.
Household supplies: Rakes, shovels, work gloves, cleaning supplies, buckets, sponges, bleach and contractor garbage bags.
Clothing: New coats, hats, gloves and scarves.
Donations may be sent to or dropped off at any Coal City school office, or dropped off at the home of Anne Watson, 525 Trotter Drive in Coal City. If you have questions, contact Watson at 815-634-2447 or kabwats@yahoo.com.
