Ways to Help Sandy Victims This Weekend

An update on the volunteer/donation opportunities in the neighborhood and beyond…

• Here’s a good one for kids: Make “Happy Cards” and “Happy Letters” for the residents at the Armory evacuation shelter for Operation Feel Good. Fold over a piece of paper, draw some pictures and say something nice. (If you want to have kids write a letter that works, too). You can take a photo of your child with their card and send it to susanfoxpsp@gmail.com. Drop off at 438 12th Street with the doorman from 11am-7pm.

• Volunteers still needed at the Park Slope Armory. You can do 4-hour shifts now, and you can sign up online for Saturday Shifts and Sunday/Monday shifts.

• Red Hook’s shelter can use volunteers. Call 718-858-6782, or drop in at 402 Van Brundt Street.

• Volunteers also needed in Red Hook, go to RHICenter.org or email  volunteers@rhicenter.org for the Red Hook Initiative. Or drop by 767 Hicks Street in Red Hook, corner of West 9th.

• Drop off pet food donations at Brownstone Dog Walkers, 1st Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.

• Another way to help pets: Sean Casey Animal Rescue (153 East 3rd Street) is housing over 100 displaced Hurricane Sandy pets. You can visit them, you can adopt one, or you can donate towels, newspapers, baby blankets and, most especially, metal crates. You can also donate exactly what they need by going to their Wish List.

• There is a food/supply drive at the Park Slope Food Coop. You can purchase supplies at the Coop and donate at the collection point outside the front door.

• At Congregation Beth Elohim (8th ave and Garfield), volunteer to make meals, drive supplies to Coney Island or the Rockaways, or arrange their supply room. Or donate supplies: Water, diapers and baby products, adult diapers, flashlights, D batteries, non-perishable food, ready-to-eat foods like protein bars, granola bars, liquid nutrition drinks, feminine hygiene products, over-the-counter medications, bandages, trash bags, coats, school supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, wipes, candles, lighters, matches. Other than coats, no more clothing is needed.

• You can donate a little care box.

• The Brooklyn Public Library’s Central branch (at GAP) and Park Slope branch are accepting donations which they will distribute to Sandy’s victims.

• Park Slope Parents is organizing volunteers. Saturday and Sunday at 9am and 10am they need 10 drivers to drive volunteers to work locations. Sign up to drive and work, or just to drive for Saturday or Sunday.

• Contribute cash donations to efforts to bulk purchasing for the relief effort.

• Donate hot meals for a family. Sign up for Saturday or Sunday. Deliver to Two Boots, 514 2nd Street.

• You can donate winter gear at the St. Jacobi Church, 5406 4th Avenue at 54th Street (contact: 347-470-4192).

• On Saturday, head down to Coney Island to help that hard-hit community recover. Meet other volunteers at Tom’s Restaurant on the boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue and from there you will be dispatched to the most needed areas of the neighborhood. You can take on debris removal, staff a donation site, deliver supplies, or clean up the beach and aquarium.

• Councilmember James Sanders, Jr. is coordinating volunteers for debris removal (bring a shovel if you can) and supply distribution from 10am-4pm, on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 15-26 Central Ave, in Far Rockaway. While the subway is down, you can drive or take the LIRR from Atlantic Terminal to the Far Rockaway stop.

• You can also donate supplies for the Rockaways at Gowanus Studio (166 7th Street).

• Lastly, a list of (somewhat arts-oriented) organizations providing relief to Sandy victims.