Dozens of volunteers, called together under the auspices of the Church World Service Ohio, gathered Thursday night to package and send cleaning supplies to those on the East Coast still struggling in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and this week’s nor’easter that dumped a wintry mix on the already water-soaked region.

Packaging gloves, masks, dishwasher’s detergent, bleach and other household products, the volunteers from churches across southern Ohio came to the Eaton Church of the Brethren, 1407 N. Barron St., where they packed 200 buckets in 30 minutes, Pat Via, with Brethren Disaster Ministries of Southern Ohio, told News Center 7.

The regional effort is a project of Brethren Disaster Ministries of Southern Ohio.

The goal for the night was 400 buckets, to be loaded in a trailer that will be pulled by a pickup truck.

Nick Kiger, with event leader Church World Service Ohio regional office in Columbus, said the load was to leave Thursday night headed for Maryland first, then to other areas in the region.

According to national news reports, damage in New York alone from Superstorm Sandy could total $33 billion when all is said and done, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

Thousands are reported to be in shelters still, and thousands more have been left trapped in their apartments and homes. Several national search and rescue units remain in the region, offering assistance.

Church World Service is an organization made up up of 37 denominations. founded after World War II to respond to the post-war food shortages in Europe. The group responds to disasters domestic and international.

Via said, “We have a lot of people who have a mind to help others and we can’t always go and be there, but we can do what we can do.”

The “clean-up” buckets containing about 15 items each will go to the closest disaster, probably New York, Via said, noting, “Once people help once, they understand how taking a few hours of their time can make a difference.”

Earlier this week, members of the Eaton Church of the Brethren fellowship class and women’s aid fellowship collected and prepared the donated supplies for Thursday night’s final assembling and packing.

Other congregations that want to help or do a similar project should call the Church World Service in Columbus at (614) 481-4416.

According to Kiger, clean-up buckets are needed most. Blankets are another critical need because of the seasonal weather changes, but Kiger and his organization said it is better to give a $5 donation so his church can buy blankets.

For information on the contents requested for all Church World Service emergency kits and clean-up bucket contributions, visit http://www.cwsglobal.org/kits on the web.

Donations may be directed to CWS through the website or by text message: Text RESPOND to give $10 for #Hurricane #Sandy relief.