Do You Want to Volunteer or Donate to the Recovery from Sandy?
Many people who are fortunate enough to have their health and homes in tact have been wondering how best they can help out those in need in the region. Here are resources for giving time and money to the recovery effort.
• NYCService.org has been established by the city to coordinate volunteer efforts. Community Board 14 says you can email nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov with your name, email address and borough. You can sign up for service or to donate here.
• The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City will support immediate aid needs – including water, food, and hygiene supplies – as well as long-term relief and restoration efforts. One hundred percent of donations are being dispersed to relief organizations and their efforts.
• New York Cares and Red Cross need help for their recovery efforts.
• The New York City Public Advocate’s Office is organizing volunteers across the five boroughs.
• A Cleaning Sheepshead event is being organized on Facebook for Saturday. From the reports coming out of the neighborhood, it’s clear that Sheepshead Bay needs help.
• Sheepshead Bites linked to Senator David Storobin’s list of senior homes in South Brooklyn with contact information for many and the things that they need.
• The Salvation Army offers a variety of services. You can donate online, visit their blog or call 1-718-238-2991 (86th Street Brooklyn) or 1-718-345-7050/7052/2632 (Brownsville office, for zip codes: 11234, 11210, 11236) for more information.
• Drivers and bicyclists are needed to transport donated goods to people in need, reports Sheepshead Bites.
• JASA is seeking donations and volunteers to help seniors. Volunteers are most needed in Brooklyn. To volunteer, contact Jacob Stolar at JStolar@jasa.org or 212-991-6572.
• The Red Hook Initiative needs supplies, volunteers (at 767 Hicks Street) to help transport supplies and cash donations. Call 718-858-6782 to see what they need most at this time.
• St. Bernadette’s School (in Dyker Heights) is collecting supplies all weekend. They need donations and volunteers. Email stbernadette83@yahoo.com to help out.
If you know about any opportunity for readers to contribute to the recovery, please post in the comments or email us at ditmasparkcorner@gmail.com. The amount of people looking for ways to contribute is very high — if we’re able to give them a way to do so, a lot of good can come out of it very quickly.
Photo: Nancy Beranbaum