Rylie brings hope to Sandy's victims

UNION BEACH, NJ (WPRI) - Rylie Wallace delivers.

The 8 year old Hamilton Elementary student, with the help of her classmates and parents, brought a mini-van loaded with school supplies to Union Beach, New Jersey.

“We stuffed the mini van,” Rylie says, standing in front of the tailgate of the vehicle.

Rylie’s Aunt Tina teaches at Memorial Elementary in Union Beach. The school’s 700 plus students are currently spread out into 4 school buildings while their school is cleaned

The Wallace’s brought the supplies to the town and visited St. Catherine’s Catholic School where some of Memorial’s students are now.

“So many strangers kept coming up to Rylie to say thank you or other kind words,” Jeff Wallace said. “What a memorable trip.”

Rylie’s school project started with a goal of her classmates filling maybe one basket.  

“10 or 5 things,” she said, about her initial expectations.

Rylie had close ties to Memorial Elementary since she went their in the summer to help her Aunt Tina get the classroom ready for school. The 3 ^rd grader said it ‘broke her heart’ to see how the classrooms were covered in sand and muck after Sandy rolled in.

When Rylie arrived in Union Beach, she was treated like a celebrity.

“I saw you on TV,” one of the New Jersey students said to her.

Rylie smiled and then attended an assembly where she was the guest of honor, receiving a round of applause for collecting and delivering the school supplies.

No one knows how long it will take for Union Beach to recover from the damage, but the Wallace’s are already planning another trip to the town. The Hamilton Elementary collection was so big, it didn’t all fit in the family mini-van.

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