Donors by the dozens – bringing in tons of items – helped keep the volunteers at a Saturday collection for Hurricane Helene victims busy in neighboring Riverbank. The group is partnering with former Escalon resident Lauren Holmes – now living in South Carolina – to get the donations of clothing, toys and other goods to those in need as a result of the recent hurricane. Here, from left, STARS Mary Alpers and Joni Faria, co-coordinator Cathy Bernardi and volunteer Erin Wilhelm organize items to pack into boxes at the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District Station 26 in Riverbank. Nearly 300 boxes were packed up during the one-day collection effort on Saturday.

Leader Photo By Marg Jackson