New York 8th Grader Seeking Help from Midwest Patch Readers

This article is somewhat like the traditional 'telephone game' most of us played as kids. Take the following information and pass it on.

Follow me closely on this one: My friend's sister's co-worker's son is an 8th grade student at West Babylon Jr. High School in New York.

The junior high is part of a school district located on Long Island - an area hit hard by Hurricane Sandy one month ago. Some people lost power for days, others lost their homes altogether.

Along comes West Babylon Junior High student Kevin Leeb who is currently working on his community service project for National Junior Honor Society. Kevin wanted to reach out and help those hurt by the storm, but he knew he needed help from further away.

"My idea is to collect as many $10 gift cards as possible to help my friends and their families," said Kevin. "So many people in my community have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Many have lost homes, cars, furniture, clothing, games, bikes and so much more. I am looking to the Midwest because the East Coast was hit hard."

Kevin is hoping to collect gift cards of smaller value amounts in order to assist more people. Gas cards, American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Sears, Home Depot, or Lowes gift cards are some he thinks would help the community.

Crystal Lake resident Tricia Nasta said her sister, Alice Peters, informed her the West Babylon Senior High School has officially approved Kevin's project to guarantee its validity. Peters, who lost power at her home for 12 days after the storm, works with Kevin's mother, Margaret Leeb, at the West Babylon Senior High School. (By now, you can probably see how we are all connected!).

"You have to give credit to an 8th grader who wants to help others," Nasta said.

Anyone wanting to help Kevin reach his goal of collecting 100 cards can send $10 gift cards to the address of the West Babylon Senior High School:

Kevin Leeb

Att: Hurricane Sandy Project

500 Great East Neck Road

West Babylon,  NY  11704