Brooklyn mobilizes: How to help Sandy victims

November 13, 2012 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklynites reach out to community affected by Sandy
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With thousands still without power, heat and water, Brooklynites have mobilized to help residents and businesses hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy. Borough residents are volunteering in shelters, donating food and supplies, and cleaning up neighborhoods.

If you want to help, one way to find a volunteer opportunity is to visit New York City Service online volunteer opportunities page. This page links to a number of local organizations  working in stricken areas, such as Red Hook Initiative.

Another way to help is to donate to The Brooklyn Recovery Fund, a joint effort between the Brooklyn Community Foundation, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. The Brooklyn Recovery Fund supports Brooklyn’s nonprofit organizations working with the communities most affected by Hurricane Sandy. Text ‘Brooklyn’ to 25383 to donate $10 to the fund. 

Needs for clean-up and recovery efforts are constantly changing, according to Public Advocate Bill De Blasio, who publishes a“Hurricane Sandy Volunteer Opportunities” list online. De Blasio says it’s important to check to see what supplies and efforts are needed on a day by day basis.

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If you want to join in local Brooklyn relief efforts, here’s a list of volunteer opportunities (and a few fundraising events) by neighborhood:

Red Hook

Red Hook Initiative is accepting donations at their center located at 767 Hicks Street (corner of West 9th Street). Just show up to lend a hand in clean up and/or donate. They need hot prepared food for dinner — check out http://facebook.com/RedHookInitiative for up-to-the-minute requests.

402 Van Brunt needs cleaning supplies tailored for industrial sized cleanups including masks, gloves, shovels, contractor bags, mops and drywall knives.

Miccio Center (110 West 9th Street) and Visitation Church (98 Richards Street) are taking non-perishables, water, diapers, feminine hygiene products and cleaning supplies.

Flatbush

Masbia of Flatbush is seeking financial donations to support its operation preparing hot meals for evacuees in Brooklyn.  You can donate at: https://www.masbia.org/donate.asp

Clinton Hill / Occupy Sandy

Occupy Sandy is coordinating a massive recovery effort from St. Jacobi Lutheran Church, 5406 4th Ave
11220 (347-470-4192) Please go to a volunteer intake center at the church or to 520 Clinton Street before heading out to the field.

According to their website (http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/) they no longer need clothes of any kind. What they do need: blankets, flashlights, AAA batteries, gallon Ziplock bags, cleaning hardware, especially brooms, flat shovels, mops, masks and gloves, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, any sort of baby/toddler food and formula, duct and scotch tape, toiletries (deodorants, tampons, soap, etc.) and can openers.

DUMBO

The DUMBO Rebuild Fundraiser to benefit small local businesses flooded by Sandy is on for this Wednesday, November 14, 6 p.m. at Galapagos Art Space, 16 Main St., DUMBO. (One raffle prize: the winner gets Marty Markowitz to record their voicemail message.) The event is sponsored by the DUMBO BID. (More details here:http://dumbo.is/home )

The DUMBO Improvement District is also hosting a FEMA / US Small Business Administration / South Brooklyn Legal Services pop-up registration and answer center at 81 Washington Street on Tuesday, November 13. NYC Business Solutions will be on hand as well on Tuesday afternoon to discuss City assistance programs.

Fort Greene

Head to Fort Greene for Brooklyn Loves Brooklyn: A Benefit for Hurricane Sandy Relief, presented by Downtown Brooklyn Arts Alliance, The Irondale Center, 80 Arts Alliance, Soul of Brooklyn, and Council Member Letitia James. The music and art-filled event will take place Tuesday, November 13, 7:30-10 p.m. at the Irondale Center, 85 South Oxford Street. Suggested donation at the door: $10.

Proceeds go towards Reaching Out Community Services and Red Hook Initiative. Contact: Irondale at 718 488-9233 or Maria Knapp ([email protected])

Park Slope

Go to Union Hall for a night of words, music, and comedy to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Local authors and musicians will perform with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to help Sandy victims. 702 Union St. Brooklyn, NY 11215; 718-638-4400 or visit www.unionhallny.com/calendar.php


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