People want to help. But in times of crisis like these, the question is often: "How?"
Well, lots of ways, it turns out.
Considering the catastrophic loss our city has endured in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in terms of life, property and vital infrastructure, the need for volunteers has never been greater.
Here is a list of places that are either directly helping victims or connecting people to organizations that do. If you are looking for volunteers, feel free to spread the word in our comments section. You can also email paul.leonard@patch.com or laurene@patch.com.
Let's get to work.
Masbia
Please consider emergency donation now to Masbia. They are feeding 500-plus evacuated seniors: https://www.masbia.org/donate.asp
Red Hook Recovers
This is a recovery organizing site for New York's Red Hook neighborhood in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The site allows people to offer/request assistance, and is coordinated by the folks at OWS and community organizations on the ground: https://redhook.recovers.org/
Brooklyn Bridge Park
We will concentrate our efforts on the perimeters of the park, cleaning up debris left over from floodwaters. Work will take place near Pier 6 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please wear water-resistant shoes and clothes that you don't mind getting dirty. Please RSVP to sward@brooklynbridgepark.org. Stay tuned for additional clean up opportunities in the coming days and weeks.
City-sponsored services
Want to Volunteer? Please email nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov with your name, email address and borough. There will be ways to volunteer today and over the next week as opportunities arise.
One of the city's 65 shelters, including Brooklyn Tech and John Jay High School
If nothing else, one can always just show up at a local site and volunteer there: http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/hurricane_shelters.html.
