A Cedartown couple have launched a clothing collection drive to help the victims of the super storm that hit the Northeastern states.

“I’m a construction worker and I have a few weeks off,” Jim Wolfe explained. “I decided to utilize that time doing this clothing drive.”

Superstorm Sandy brought a storm surge that caused extensive flooding and high winds that caused massive structural damage. The overall death toll by Saturday had risen to 105, including 41 in New York City.

According to the Associated Press, New York and New Jersey still had weeks to go to get anywhere back to normal. Power had been restored to about 60 percent of the New York metropolitan area as of Saturday morning. Utility workers said about 900,000 were still without electricity Saturday, including about 550,000 on Long Island.

About 80 percent of New York City's subway service has been restored, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed.

Various agencies are working to provide food and housing to storm victims. Clothing is also a need, as many victims lost homes and all possessions to flooding. There is a great need for coats and blankets, as many storm victims are facing cold weather with no utilities to provide heat.

In Cedartown, Wolfe and his wife, Cheryl, were hard at work Saturday loading a semi-trailer with donated bags of clothing. Ken Casey, owner of Casey’s Food Store, donated use of a lot off West Avenue toward the effort, which is described on fliers as The Hurricane Sandy Victim Relief Clothing Drive.

Clothing donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the trailer, which is parked in an empty lot across from the Cedartown Post Office at the corner of College Street and West Avenue. The trailer is expected to pull out on Monday, Nov. 12.

“My daughter, Kristen McFarlane, is a trucking broker in Rome,” Wolfe said. “Scott Logistics in Rome provided the trailer and will furnish the transport.”

Mrs. Wolfe said individual donors have been coming in with a few bags at a time. The effort got under way last Thursday and has been building momentum since. Local agencies, such as the United Fund and a local thrift shop, have also donated some clothing.

“I’ve actually gotten some from as far away as Ringgold, who are going to mail stuff to us,” Wolfe said.

They want to fill the trailer full before it leaves, he adds. If there is enough support, he said they may fill a second trailer as well.

For more information about the clothing drive, call (706) 346-2383.

In response to out-of-state inquiries about donations, the couple is also accepting clothing mailed to their address:

Jim and Cheryl Wolfe

1200 Cave Spring Road

Cedartown, GA 30153