South Carolina Town Accepts Donations for Hurricane-Striken Somerville

Call it returning a favor.

The Town of Summerville, South Carolina, is accepting donations for the people of Somerville, N.J., at fire stations for the next two weeks. The supplies will help the borough's citizens after Hurricane Sandy ripped up roofs and limited power to many homes.

The Borough of Somerville raised supplies for Summerville in 1989, in the wake of the disastrous Hurricane Hugo. Summerville, South Carolina, Mayor Bill Collins said he wanted to return the favor. 

"Somerville came to our aid in 1989, and they collected and sent to us two tractor trailer loads of supplies," Collins said. "It's a good idea to reach out to them as they did to us."

During Wednesday night's Summerville town council meeting, Collins said he's had a hard time getting Somerville Mayor Brian Gallagher on the phone, but understands their need is great.

According to NJ.com, the borough is still reeling from Hurricane Sandy. 

The publication reported:

In 2-square-mile Somerville, 66 utility poles came brought down after trees and branches fell across wires or the wind simply snapped a poles in two. Some businesses, private residences and government offices were left without power for a week or more after Sandy moved through.

“We really got slammed,” said Colin Driver, the director of economic development for the borough.

Click here to see pictures of the devastation of Somerville.