How to Help Those Affected by Sandy

It has taken me a few days to clear my head after this storm called Sandy this past week. The states that have been affected are so many, it is really hard to fathom. My area of Pennsylvania has had it’s share of weather tragedy, with major flooding in the last 50 years, so I am familiar with what many people are going through. It is a loss that is unthinkable, losing homes and loved ones to such a natural disaster. We had 2 large Christmas trees fall on our property due to the high winds, but nothing was damaged nor was anyone hurt. Thank goodness.


Seeing the photographs of Staten Island, downtown Manhattan, and Hoboken, New Jersey just made me so sad. The only thing I can say is that in times like these, of such pain and suffering, we can all come together and support one another. Strangers can help those in need, and make them feel like their guardian angel is watching over them. We saw many moments of hero’s like those in the hospital that carried all patients and babies to the safety of a new hospital. The kindness and humanity of people can be so overpowering, it is wonderful to see.

As far as helping these areas, I have listed some websites and information below for you. The areas of Chelsea, Union Square and below are just getting power back on.  A great way to help these fabulous businesses is to support them once they are back up and running. Please list these areas on your to do list if you are planning to visit the city in the coming months, eat in the restaurants, shop in the unique shops and cafes. Here is a great website for all information going on in the Lower East Side 

We can all become angels of those affected, giving something to help them in this terrible time. Whether you can donate your time, monetary donations, or just patronizing them, it is greatly needed. Any amount of help would be wonderful, if everyone did just one thing, it would be amazing.

Here is to the city of New York and all others affected to getting back on their feet as soon as possible!!

HOW YOU CAN HELP: 

* The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City
(http://www.nyc.gov/html/fund/html/home/home.shtml) is accepting cash
donations, with 100% of all contributions dispensed to relief efforts
and organizations.

* NYC Service – to donate money or volunteer http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycservice/home.html

* The American Red Cross in Greater New York (http://www.nyredcross.org/) has been working to assist those affected by the storm, and is accepting donations and asking for volunteers.

* The New York Blood Center put together a list of times and locations where volunteers could give blood, after Sandy's havoc forced the cancellation of regular blood drives.

* The New York City Public Advocate's Office wants volunteers to help at evacuation sites and to help with clean-up citywide. The office has a sign-up form here.

* And community storm response efforts like Staten Island Recovers, Lower East Side Recovers, Astoria Recovers and Red Hook Recovers list volunteer and donation opportunities in the hard-hit borough as they become available.

* In Manhattan, CAAAV has been organizing a large-scale effort to deliver supplies to residents, particularly seniors, trapped in high-rise apartments without power and is looking for volunteers, especially those who speak Mandarin. Check out their website, contact them at (212) 473-6485 or justice@caaav.org or report to their office at 46 Hester Street in Manhattan.

* Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Staten Island Borough President James
Molinaro are also announcing the formation of a fund specifically to
assist hard-hit Staten Island residents. That announcement will come
later this morning, and we'll try to get the information up on the
website (http://www.eastmidtown.org) as soon as we can.

* The Food Bank for New York City (http://www.foodbanknyc.org/) is working to feed hungry New Yorkers.

* The NYPD Community Affairs Bureau
(http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/community_affairs/community_affairs.shtml)
has established a donation point at Resort World Casino (Former
Aqueduct Racetrack); 110-00 Rockaway Boulevard in Jamaica. They are
seeking donations of the following (or similar items):
Food - Canned goods; Non-perishable food items; Individual snacks
(chips, cookies, fruit snacks, granola bars, pudding); Canned Milk;
Bottled Water
Shopping List - Paper products (facial tissue, toilet paper, paper
towels); Baby care products (diapers, formula, wipes) Trash bags;
Aluminum foil, plastic wrap and sandwich bags; Cleaning products
(bleach, sponges, dishwashing liquid); Bath and bedroom items (towels,
sheets and pillow cases); Personal care products (deodorant,
toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner; feminine hygiene products)
Clothing - All types of clothing for all ages and genders,
particularly clothing for the approaching colder weather.
Any questions can be directed to the Community Affairs Bureau at
646-610-5323 or via email at communityaffairs@nypd.org
(mailto:communityaffairs@nypd.org) . Store owners,or other large
businesses interested in bulk donations should contact the above
number to coordinate logistics.

New Jersey relief
The gambling mecca of Atlantic City and much of New Jersey's popular shoreline have been severely damaged. Volunteers are being coordinated through an emergency response hotline, 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397). Alternate numbers, should you have trouble getting through, are 609-775-5236 and 908-303-0471.

The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has set up feeding units and shelters across the disaster zone. To assist their efforts in providing clothing, food, and beds to the displaced, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org. You can also donate $10 to the Salvation Army by texting "STORM" to 80888

United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund is accepting monetary donations, which can be made online at uwsandyrecovery.org. A $10 donation can be made by texting the word RECOVERY to 52000.

OCCUPY SANDY RELIEF

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