Holmdel family leads blanket drive for needy BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer HOLMDEL - What started out as a simple community service project for three siblings has turned into an entire town trying to help the needy during the holiday season. Maria, Thomas and Brian Colella of Holmdel have organized a blanket drive with the help of Holiday Express, a volunteer organization based in Shrewsbury. "My kids have to complete a community service project as part of their requirements for school, and also my kids wanted to do this for a while to be able to help out in the area," Joanne Colella said. "I mentioned to my kids I thought this would be a good idea." Colella thought they would be successful at the task of collecting blankets, being that they go to three of the district's four schools. "The word about this drive has gotten out there big time," Colella said. "The Satz School alone has brought in a bunch of blankets already. All I did was make the initial contacts at the schools and let them know what was going on." While the schools have produced plenty of blankets, the drive got some support from another source as well. "We also have the support of the Holmdel Police Department and Chief [Raymond] Wilson and it has been great," Colella said. Colella decided to collaborate with Holiday Express after seeing them about four years ago. The company often performs in the tri-state area and brings donations from local residents with them. "I saw them at a media event at PNC Bank Arts Center and I was hooked," Colella said. "They were so impressive and when I knew my kids were going to try and collect blankets for the needy I thought Holiday Express could help out." In the beginning, collecting "maybe 20 blankets would have been fine," but they are looking to far exceed that now. "When my kids first talked about it, it sounded like an easy concept. They had a wait and see approach because we really didn't know what to expect," Colella said. "Now I'm so thrilled with how all of this is turning out." Colella also said that scout troops and other organizations have chipped in as well. She said that they are mostly looking for lightweight fleece throw blankets, preferable new ones. She is requesting that blankets be donated by Dec. 15 so that Holiday Express has a sufficient amount of time to get the blankets to those most in need. For further information, call (732) 817-0015 or e-mail holmdelcommunitynews@hotmail.com.