ATLANTIC CITY--It all started with a simple click of the mouse.

Inspired by an episode of Oprah, Mike and Deborah Reilly wanted to give back to their community.

“We wanted to do something everybody could participate in. One blanket seemed like a doable thing so that everybody in the community that wanted to participate could,” said donation organizer Deborah Reilly.

Earlier this year the Reilly’s emailed family and friends for blankets to help the homeless at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission. They also asked everyone to forward the message

“We started with one single email to donate one new blanket,” said Reilly.

The email chain caught on. This weekend a donation of over three hundred blankets was made to the mission.

“We wanted to give something that would be very much needed,” said organizer Roseanne Onofrio.

When word reached longtime friends Roseanne and Mark Onofrio, they also decided to make a special donation as tribute to their son, George Nordaby, who passed away earlier this fall. They say helping others is the way their son lived his life.


“I think he would be very proud of this and its something he would want to do. I am happy we can do it for him,” said Onofrio.

“He was always there to help others. So we're just carrying on in his namesake,” said Mark Onofrio.

The piles of blankets are already being put to good use, adding a little comfort for those who sleep at the mission.

“We reach out and help people when the need some help. That's why we picked a charity especially in our county,” said Reilly.

As the colder winter months approach, many volunteers hope the holiday spirit catches on.

“I was pretty sure our community could reach out and do this without much trouble. I hope it grows from here,” said Reilly