Sandy Victims Trying To Find Sense Of Normalcy This Thanksgiving - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Sandy Victims Trying To Find Sense Of Normalcy This Thanksgiving

Posted: Updated:
WILDWOOD, N.J. -

At two weeks old, a small Days Inn hotel room is the only home Nicholas Barnes has ever known.

The baby was born just days after his family, pets and all, were evacuated from Seaside Heights when Hurricane Sandy ripped through the area.

"Honestly, the hardest part is having the kids and going through this. I mean, if it was just me and my husband, we'd be okay," Kelly Barnes told FOX 29's Chris O'Connell.

In another room, the only possessions left from Brian Sotell and his family's home are now crammed into boxes and bags that sit on a hotel room floor.

The Sotell family is among 200 families who are now staying at Wildwood's four hotels.

"They lost all their stuff and I'm their mom," Renee Sotell said.

"I'm supposed to take care of them and make my life better."

The family is waiting on FEMA to get an apartment, but when that will be is anyone's guess.

"How long can you live in a hotel? All my stuff is in bags and most of the stuff I had was donated," Brian Sotell said.

On a week where many will gather around a dinner table with family, a small army is making sure these evacuees get a decent Thanksgiving meal.

Former candidate for U.S. Senate Christine O'Donnell is playing host this Thanksgiving. She teamed up with Saint Ann's Church to feed the hundreds of Sandy victims in an attempt to give them a sense of normalcy.

  • Local News

  • Friday, May 24 2013 10:26 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:26:18 GMT
    Philadelphia Police are looking for a man that sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Germantown.Police say the incident happened just before 11P.M. on May 19th on the 6000 block of Wister Street.The suspect
    Philadelphia Police are looking for a man that sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Germantown.
  • Friday, May 24 2013 10:01 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:01:49 GMT
    Kasey's bark may be worse than her bite. But Hamilton Township Police say the crook who tried to rob Draper Ellis late Thursday afternoon at his "May's Landing Auto Parts Store" didn't stick around
    A South New Jersey business owner comes face to face with a suspected robber threatening him with a knife. Thanks to his 7-year-old family pet, the crook ran off.
  • Friday, May 24 2013 7:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:08:04 GMT
    Busy planning your cook-out or trip down the shore this Memorial Day Weekend? Don't forget about the men and women for whom the holiday is observed.
    Busy planning your cook-out or trip down the shore this Memorial Day Weekend? Don't forget about the men and women for whom the holiday is observed. FOX 29's Bruce Gordon spent a day with folks preparing a veterans' cemetery for its day in the spotlight.
Powered by WorldNow

WTXF-TV
330 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796

Phone: (215) 925-2929
Fax: (215) 982-5494

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices