McLEAN, Va. –

Hurricane Sandy engulfed the Northeast nearly four months ago, but employees of dealerships in the region are still trying to put their personal lives back together.

Officials from the National Automobile Dealers Association reiterated how they are continuing to support these individuals and their families through the NADA Foundation and its emergency relief fund, which was established in 1992 to help dealership employees affected by natural disasters.

To date, NADA said the fund has assisted nearly 700 dealership employees whose lives were disrupted by Sandy. One of those helped was Chris Bellacchio, sales manager at Manfredi Hyundai in Staten Island, N.Y.

“Shell-shocked is the only thing you could say,” Bellacchio said in a video produced by NADA-TV about how the storm destroyed his home. “You want to scream you want to cry. It’s emotional.”

The day after the storm hit on Halloween, NADA and the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Associations jump-started the fundraising with significant contributions so that the foundation could begin helping dealership employees right away.

Within days, dealers and state and metro dealer associations all over the country sent donations.

“For them to come out and within days have a check in hand, it was something else, a really nice surprise,” Bellachio said. “It’s well appreciated from me and my family.”

NADA officials added the need is ongoing. Dealers can click here to donate or apply for assistance.

The entire video featuring Bellacchio and the NADA Foundation is below.

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