Post-Hurricane Update, and How to Help

It’s been a week since the devastating Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast, and the region is still struggling to pull things together. It seems City, State and Federal authorities have done a solid job responding to the crisis, as has Con Ed. Transportation networks are mostly back in business, schools are mostly up and running, the power grid is mostly fired up, and they say emergency assistance is on its way.

More impressive, perhaps, has been the outpouring of support by citizens. Locally, New Yorkers have stepped forward in a variety of ways. Food drives, clothing drives, supplies delivered to the Rockaways, to Red Hook, to Staten Island. In our area, bake sales on 9th Street and 14th Street on Sunday raised $4,800.

This is not to say all hurricane-related problems have been solved. Weather predictions indicate temperatures will border on freezing tonight, with rain coming through on Wednesday. Gas shortages plague the region, putting an additional strain on an already overburdened public transportation system. And of course, there are those who have suffered tragic losses: family, friends, homes, and neighborhoods. Forty New Yorkers have died as a result of the hurricane, and the number is rising.

There is more to be done. If you are interested in helping out, here is a sampling of ways to get involved.

* The Occupy movement has been very active raising funds and organizing relief efforts in the area. You can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, or the internet to get updates on volunteer opportunities, current needs, and on-the-ground conditions.

* Our neighbors in Red Hook could still use your help: here’s how.

* If you can’t make it to Coney Island, Park Sloper Patrice is heading there on Tuesday to bring lunch and supplies. If anyone wants to contribute sandwiches (in sandwich bags please), juice boxes, cereal bars or baked goods, they are happy to distribute. Also requested for distribution:batteries (AA, AAA, C, D), baby formula, first aid supplies, blankets (only new please!), candles, flashlights, and diapers. No clothing or used blankets. Drop off is Tuesday from 8-10am at Postmark Cafe, 326 6th Street (tell them they are for Patrice and Amy). Or, if you are in the area, you can text Patrice at 347-581-8833. Anyone with a car is invited to come along. They are planning to leave the Slope around 11am and be back by 5pm.

* Breezy Point: PS10’s Save the Arts Online Auction is open to everyone. Great deals on local and NYC establishments including: Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Franny’s, Kidville, Animal Kind, Music for Brooklyn Classes, Top of the Rock, NY Hall of Science, Brooklyn Museum, Park Slope Eye, Private Picassos, Super Soccer Stars, and Talde. They just added that a portion of the Breezy Point Surf Club and Silver Gull Beach Club passbook sales will be donated to a charitable organization that provides relief to Breezy Point. Bidding through November 11.

* St. Jacobi Church at 5406 4th Avenue is accepting donations of tools & industrial cleaning supplies, especially hard bristle brooms, flat shovels, long handled squeegees, rubber suits, rubber boots, 3M masks, heavy duty contractor bags, wheelbarrows, headlamps, work gloves, simple green, string mops & industrial mop buckets. You can also drop off donations at Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew at 520 Clinton Avenue (between Fulton & Atlantic) between 9 AM and 9 PM.

* Staten Island donations are being taken at the New York Container Terminal, 300 Western Avenue. Small donations can be dropped off anytime in the NYCT parking lot. For large truckloads of donations, please call 718-816-2231 in advance to gain clearance to the port and warehouse. No perishable items will be accepted.

* Make a visit to the Rockaways. For those looking to help, the Rockaways could use manpower. Volunteers are going into homes to help clear out the damage from the flood. They meet up at St Francis on Beach 129 st. A woman named Jaime Jordan has been organizing all of this. She can be reach at JaimeJordan20 (AT) GMAIL or on Facebook at the groups Rockaway Relief or Rockaway Emergency Plan. They are starting to look for volunteers who are plumbers, electricians, etc.

* The one donation almost everyone can make: blood.

Resources for those affected:

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, can provide disaster relief.

Small and medium-sized businesses can get loans of up to $25,000.

A website to help find gas in the area. Results may be disappointing.