You would have to be hiding in a a hole somewhere to not know what’s been happening in the east in the wake of Sandy. As many of you know, I was born and raised in New York City and spent 38 years in New Jersey raising my kids. Every summer was spent at the Jersey Shore, at first with Pop and Nono, the kids’ paternal grandparents, and then at our own place just across the bay from them. We were regulars at the Amusement Piers in both Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights and even though we jokingly referred to the latter as “Slease-side Heights” my kids and my grandkids had wonderful times there on the rides and playing the games and eating Boardwalk Pizza, sausage and peppers, lemon ice, custard…all the treats that always tasted soooo much better when there was salt air to breathe and colorful lights flashing all around.
I am lucky to have had those wonderful times with my family, but now it will be delayed for my younger grandchildren and for so many others. But I have no doubt it will all be back. I know that because every time I fly into Newark Liberty there is that Freedom Tower, which I like to compare a “cursing finger” to the terrorists. There are so many who need our help…I am listing places here where you can donate…if you know of others, please let us know. We will be posting these on the site as well.
Pretty much all of what we knew at that little piece of Heaven known as the Jersey Shore is gone. I could fill this whole blog with the horror stories from friends and loved ones who have lost everything and it still wouldn’t convey to you the utter enormity of what has happened there. “Restore the Shore!”
The headings in each category are also links to the sites offering support to those who are so desperately in need of all the help they can get.
The Red Cross
All donations to the Red Cross provide food, shelter, and other assistance to those affected by Sandy. Visit www.redcross.org or call 800.RED.CROSS to help. Text “Redcross” to 90999 to give $10. During Sandy’s assault, 100 Red Cross blood-donation events in the affected regions were canceled, so blood supply is low. If you are in NYD, to schedule an appointment to give blood, call The New York Blood Center at 800.933.2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has set up feeding units and shelters across the disaster zone. To assist their efforts in providing clothing, food, and beds to the displaced, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org. You can also donate $10 to the Salvation Army by texting “STORM” to 80888
New Jersey relief
The gambling mecca of Atlantic City and much of New Jersey’s popular shoreline have been severely damaged. Volunteers are being coordinated through an emergency response hotline, 1.800.JERSEY7 ( 1.800.537.7397). Alternate numbers, should you have trouble getting through, are 609.775.5236 and 908.303.0471.
Feeding America
The Feeding America network of food banks and agencies is delivering truckloads of food, water and supplies to communities in need, through its network of more than 200 food banks and the agencies it serves. Its food banks will also set up additional emergency distribution sites as they are needed. It is anticipated that roughly 25-30 food banks will be impacted by this storm. In times of disaster, Feeding America supports immediate and long-term recovery for individuals and families in need of food assistance. Learn more here.
The Los Angeles-based international relief agency will provide emergency aid to Cuba and Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Operation USA will provide access to safe water and support for clinics and hospitals and assess shelter, safe water, food and other needs. Learn more here or donate by phone at 1.800.678.7255, by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Text AID to 50555 and donate $10 to Operation USA’s disaster relief efforts.
Direct Relief
Direct Relief has placed seven hurricane preparedness packs in the Caribbean, each containing medicine and supplies to treat a variety of traumatic and chronic conditions that can support 5,000 people for a month. Packs have also been placed along the U.S. East Coast including 300 clinical partners along the storm’s projected path. Direct Relief works with 70 countries to provide disaster relief and preparedness during the most critical hours after a natural disaster.
Save The Children
Save The Children provides child-friendly space kits, including diapers and hygiene items. The organization also maintains a U.S. Emergencies Fund, that allow for disaster planning, emergency preparedness, response and recovery work and psychological support. Save the Children says it’s committed to the same level of support for the impending storm. Learn more here.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon, which utilizes the skills of military veterans to assist in responding to and recovering from natural disasters, has teams of highly skilled military veterans working with local authorities preparing to respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in communities from Washington, D.C., to Boston. In New York City, Team Rubicon veterans are assisting the city’s mobile assessment teams as well as coordinating joint operations in the city’s Emergency Operations Center. This not only provides a skilled and motivated work force, but provides a new mission for America’s veterans, allowing them to continue to serve here at home and abroad. Learn more here.
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is helping victims of Hurricane Sandy at three locations in New Jersey and have established bases in Atlantic, Bergen, and Ocean Counties, areas that were hard hit by the superstorm. If you live in the east, they need volunteers. You can volunteer by going here: http://spvolunteernetwork.org/projects/hurricane-sandy-response.aspx and to learn more about this organization’s work, go here: http://www.samaritanspurse.org
NYCService – for my NY friends
World Vision, a Christian humanitarian relief organization, is bringing necessary supplies, including food kits, hygiene kits, blankets and tarps, to those in need in New York City. Learn more here.
New York Blood Center
The New York Blood Center is calling for donations to prevent any shortages after the storm hits. The organization is working with local hospitals to make sure it have adequate supply. The center needs at least 2,000 donations a day to maintain the center’s blood inventory. Learn more here.
Every little bit helps!!!