The Wall Cycling Studio Rides for Sandy Victims

To many in the Philadelphia area, Hurricane Sandy is referred to in the past tense. Utility companies restored power, and workers cleared trees. However, those in Northern New Jersey and New York still reel from the late October storm.

The Wall Cycling Studio in Manayunk wants to help out those still impacted and will serve as a supply drop-off location over the coming days. 

"I was in Island Park, NY, this past Saturday (near Long Beach and Rockaway) and it is completely devastated. Nothing was spared," said Juliet Sabella, the Levering Street business owner. "We've named ourselves the official (unofficial) hub for Sandy donations in Manayunk."

Sabella plans on hosting benefit classes Saturday and Sunday at the indoor cycling studio, in addition to accepting donations throughout the week.

She first got in touch with the New York community in trying to locate her grandmother through the Island Park Community Group after the storm. Sabella continued to track the civic organization on Facebook, and made a trip to New York last weekend.

"(We were) on our way back from New York and Island Park looks like a war zone. No power, phones, heat, boats in the middle of the streets and the canal has raw sewage running in to it. Not one house or business was spared," she said.

Like the Manayunk Moms group that brought supplies to Hoboken over the weekend, Sabella wants to help where she can.

The Walls will do a group ride for Sandy victims Nov. 10 and 11. To access the cycling studio's class, participants must bring two blanket items and two cleaning supplies.

Additionally, concerned residents can drop off items throughout the week to the 100 Levering St. location. 

Needed supplies include:

• Blankets
• Socks and underwear
• Baby wipes 
• Diapers
• Women's/men's personal hygiene items 
• Toothpaste/toothbrushes 
• Soap
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Hairbrushes
• Razors 
• Washcloths/Towels
• Heavy duty trash bags called "Contractor" bags
• Canvas work gloves
• Heavy duty rubber gloves
• Bleach
• Mops/brooms
• Plastic bins (for sorting and salvaging items to keep)

Sabella will make another New York trip next week and disperse items as the community needs them.

People can email: info@thewallcycling.com to schedule a class this weekend. Saturday: 8:45 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. Sunday: 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m.. The Wall will add additional classes as needed.

Visit the Wall's Facebook page for more information.