Millions of lives have been changed by Superstorm Sandy that swept the Northeast... many of whom we know personally here at KKCO 11 News. Although we may feel disconnected to events like this happening so far from our small-town reality here in Grand Junction, the tragedy hits home for many of us who grew up and gathered memories in and around the Tri-State area (New Jersey, New York, Connecticut), like myself.

My grandparents live in Forked River, NJ, right on Barnegat Bay, with a lagoon in their backyard. Living right on the water, we thought for sure they'd lose part of their home to flood or wind damage. Whether by an act of God or luck, their home was spared. But so many others were not.

My best friend lives in Little Ferry, NJ, where Katy Tur did an NBC Nightly News package earlier this week. Her street was flooded to the point where boats had to rescue her and her family from their home. And the first floor of her house had 4 ft. of water after the first day Hurricane Sandy came through. Now, they're working to replace their entire kitchen, living room, garage, and three vehicles.

Of course in any situation like this, lives are what matter -- not things. Even so, the storm is estimated to cost homeowners about $20 billion in damages... and $10 to $30 billion more in lost businesses.

What I'm looking to do is show that we care here in Western Colorado... even 2,000 miles away from the disaster. I'd like to raise any amount of money to donate to the Red Cross on behalf of the KKCO 11 News team. With no goal in mind, I figure it doesn't matter how much we raise, I just want to show that we care and are giving something of ourselves to those who lost so much.

Let's face it... not many of us have much money to spare. So anything you're willing to donate... whether it be $1, $10, or anything more... is appreciated.

Thanks everyone for your help and generosity (and for reading this novel!)

- Therese O'Shea, Morning Anchor/Producer