Martin Agency creates RVA2NY initiative to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy

With many in New York still struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, The Martin Agency has created a food and clothing drive to take supplies to the affected areas.

November 6, 2012; 4:00 PM • by Nathan Cushing

Update #1 — November 7th, 6:35 AM

The Martin Agency has created a campaign called RVA2NY to help those in the New York area affected by Hurricane Sandy. On Thursday, November 8th from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, a truck will be parked at One Shockoe Plaza in Downtown Richmond that will receive items to be delivered to New York the following day.

Kathy Snead, Senior Vice President at The Martin Agency, said this initiative “wasn’t really a planned [event].” It started several days ago when Brian Camp, a producer based in their New York City office, who was in Richmond when Sandy hit the East Coast, lamented not being able to do anything to help back home. It’s a feeling that Snead thinks many others empathized with. “I don’t think anyone really knew what to do,” she said. Camp, however, had an idea.

Instead of returning home empty handed, Camp wanted to bring supplies to distribute to those in need. He asked Snead, a 24-year veteran within the ad agency, for help.

Snead sent a mass email with the subject line: “Good and tough (damn straight)”. The “good and tough” referenced a new motto that The Martin Agency recently began using, and the “damn straight” part emphasized a chance for the agency to live it out.

Within two hours, designers put together a poster. The name, RVA2NY, was partly inspired by both Virginia and New York having love in their mottos (“Virginia is For Lovers” and “I LOVE NY,” respectively).

Announced only yesterday, Snead said “People have just come out of the woodwork.” Local churches, family of employees, and local schools have offered support. “Past employees are ordering stuff on Amazon and having it shipped here,” she said. “I think it says a lot” about RVA’s generosity. “Everyone here has a big heart.”

On Thursday, donations will be accepted outside of The Martin Agency’s downtown Richmond location. Items specifically needed include food, baby care, clothing, hygiene, and pet care products, among others. Organizers prefer new items, but will accept used products and clean, gently-used clothing.

Camp will drive to New York City the following day with what Snead hopes will be a full truck. The Martin Agency has been working with a NYC police officer (a relative of a Martin employee) to distribute the goods where they are most needed. “We’re monitoring it,” said Snead about where and how the donated goods will be given out when they arrive, committed that they do the most good. The truck will remain in NYC for several days to assist in recovery efforts.

“We’ll definitely do a second run if everything doesn’t fit,” said Snead. “But right now we just have to make [Thursday] happen.”

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Original — November 6th, 4:00 PM

The Martin Agency has created a campaign called RVA2NY to help those in the New York area affected by Hurricane Sandy. On Thursday, November 8th from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, a truck will be parked at One Shockoe Plaza in Downtown Richmond that will receive items to be delivered to New York by a Martin Agency employee the following day.

With an office in New York City, The Martin Agency has a particular kinship with the region. Inspired by both Virginia and New York having love in their mottos (“Virginia is For Lovers” and “I LOVE NY,” respectively) the advertising agency decided to rally local support to help those up north.

Needed items include food, baby care, clothing, hygiene, and pet care products, among others. Items can be dropped off at any time between 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Thursday.

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November 6, 2012 4:00 PM 1 1 update