How to Help Hurricane Sandy Victims This Weekend

Christine Bush -

If you’re looking to take advantage of our beautiful weather and join the Sandy relief effort, there are plenty of opportunities around Brooklyn this weekend. Anything we’ve missed?  Please let us know in the comments or email editor@bklyner.com and we’ll be sure to add it to the list.

  • The Armory needs volunteers Sunday and Monday (4 to 8 hour shifts), especially if you speak Russian or Spanish. Signup online and help make our new neighbors as comfortable as possible.
  • Park Slope Parents is organizing their 50 for 50 initiative again this weekend. 50 (or more) families make 50 (or more) meals for 50 (or more) families in need. This is a great opportunity to get the kids involved in the effort. Signup is open for Saturday and Sunday. Food is due by 3pm on each day at Two Boots (514 2nd Street) so the meals can be delivered to the shores. Baked goods are also welcome, but they’ve apparently been overrun with chili and specifically request that no more be donated at this time.
  • Another great idea for the kids is Operation Feel Good. Park Slope Parents notes that, “Many of the elderly folks at the Armory don’t have family to visit them. They are from elder care facilities and are sleeping side by side from people all over the Zone A evacuated areas with bright lights and no privacy.” Bring a smile to their face by writing a note or drawing a picture (again, very kid friendly) and delivering it to 438 12th Street (the doorman is available 11am-7pm). The notes will be distributed to the Armory evacuees.
  • Sean Casey (153 E. 3rd St) is currently taking care of over 100 displaced Sandy pets and could some some extra help. In addition to dog walkers and individuals to adopt pets, the shelter is in need of donations. For a complete list, visit their Amazon wish list.
  • Staff from Luna Park, Scream Zone and the Cyclone are inviting fans of Coney Island to come out this weekend for the Coney Island Cleanup. Volunteers will help clear the boardwalk and streets of sand and debris on both Saturday and Sunday from 9am – 5pm. Although aiding the hurricane relief effort is enough to warm the soul of New Yorkers across the five boroughs, Luna Park is tossing in an added bonus. If you give 4 hours of your time, you’ll receive a wrist band good for 4 hours of unlimited rides at Luna Park in 2013.  If interested, please email social@caiparks.com to RSVP. Be sure to bring a shovel or broom, garbage bags and work gloves.
  • The Red Hook Initiative now has a new online form for those interested in volunteering for the cleanup effort. Fill in the required information and they will contact you with an assignment.
  • JASA is looking for people who can climb stairs in Brighton Beach and Far Rockway during the day, generally between the hours of 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Contactashapiro@jasa.org or Volunteer@jasa.org to get involved.
  • Unlocal needs people who can prepare hot food for people living in the Rockaways, and they need it first thing in the morning, any day. People are distributing food and supplies on street corners between Beach 113th Street and Beach 20th Street; there are no indoor locations yet. Email organizers@596acres.org for more details on how to help, or click here to find out about other needs Unlocal has identified in the Rockaways.
  • Occupy Sandy needs food in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Sunset Park and Clinton Hill. Bring it to either Jacobi Church, at 5406 4th Avenue, or 520 Clinton Avenue. Food items needed include: meat, chicken, ground beef, vegetables, canned goods, soups, dry goods and ready to eat food such as cereal, power bars, granola, crackers, etc.

Photo by sway6