Open Letter to My Neighbors: Don’t Forget The Rockaways

By neighbor Kym O’Neill

I could say SO much more, but I will try to keep it short and to the point.

It feels very much like a third world country in the Rockaways: no electricity, no running water, extremely limited supplies. There are non-profits and volunteers out and about, helping, but it’s all very overwhelming and still pretty new at this point, so the organization aspect is, well, pretty disorganized.

However, if one is patient and persistent, one can be assigned a job that actually makes some sense and will ultimately help people. And honestly, just being there to listen to people’s stories is meaningful for those who have been without electricity and companionship for almost two weeks now.

I’m very concerned that many of these elderly and handicapped people are running out of their life-saving prescriptions, and that there is no guarantee that they will be getting refills any time soon. There are apparently drug dispensaries set up in the area, but they’re in high demand, and they were all closed when we were knocking on their doors at 5pm last night.

And then there’s the fact that it’s really cold out there, so people are using their gas stoves to keep themselves warm. I can’t tell you how many apartments I walked into that reeked of gas. We tried to warn people about carbon monoxide, and that they should turn down their burners (and off when they go to bed), but I’m not sure that all of them understood, being that English was a second or third language for most.

Here’s the main thing that I take away from my experience in Far Rockaway, as well as Red Hook, yesterday: People still desperately need our help, especially now after the initial rush of supplies and volunteers has died down. Whether it’s dropping off supplies at one of the many donation spots around town, or hooking up with an organization that’s sending supplies and volunteers out to these areas still without power, water, etc., if you have any free time, a car (with gas!) and/or hands that work, PLEASE try to do something (anything).

The likelihood exists that these poor people in the Rockaways and Red Hook might not get power until Thanksgiving or possibly even Christmas, which means that they will be in their high rise apartments, freezing, with no way to get up and down the stairs (as many are old or handicapped). We’re right around the corner from them and we’re doing just fine, so let’s try not to forget about these people who are so much less fortunate than us.

There are so many organizations that are working to make things better and for which we can volunteer, but here is the info for the one that I worked for yesterday, New York Communities for Change, a sister of the Working Families Party: nyccvolunteer@gmail.com, or call Olivia or Desean at 347-410-6919, x300 or x272.

It really feels so good to help. And people are SO appreciative of your aid.

Thanks, and my apologies if this post seems preachy. Just thought it was important to get the word out there.

Kym has been volunteering in the neighborhood and out in the Rockaways and Red Hook all week helping victims of Hurricane Sandy. She would also like to give a shout out to the awesome work that Ben, Mauri, Sal and crew are doing organizing and delivering supplies via Ditmas Relief (from 368 Stratford, FB and Twitter) – they are getting a lot done, and it’s very impressive. If you are in position to help, please do so.

Photo of Far Rockaway clean-up efforts by louiseganitis