Helping the Recovery in Five Boros

Organizations around the city have been helping those in need get out of the mess they are in.

First and foremost, many people are without some of the most basic essentials, such as water and food.

But then as the temperatures drop they also need heating supplies, gas for generators, and other essentials that become all important during this emergency.

The crews from Ray Alba’s spontaneous group that has organized those with power (electricity, heat and cars with gasoline,) to drive out to the Rockaways to help those in need.

But there are also organizations around the city seeking volunteers today and tomorrow. They are as follows:

Manhattan

• Saturday, November 3, 9am–6pm: volunteers are needed to check-in on and assist the residents of Stuyvesant Town. Head to the Peter Cooper Village Community Center located in Stuyvesant Town (enter on 16th street and 1st Ave) to check-in and receive an assignment.
• Saturday, November 3, 10am–5pm: Join Senator Daniel Squadron at the Rutgers Community Center located at 200 Madison Street in the Lower East Side for clean-up, and food and water distribution.
• Saturday, November 3, 10am-1pm: Help clean-up Riverside Park. Meet at one of the following 3 locations and please bring extra gloves and garbage bags: 99th Street along the Hudson River (check-in with Hakim Constantine); Pier I and 70th Street (check-in with Sally Miller); or 138th Street and 12th Avenue.
• Sunday, November 4, 12pm–3:30pm: Help clean-up Riverside Park. Meet at 91st St and Riverside Drive and please bring extra gloves and garbage bags (check-in with Nya Jackson).
• Saturday, November 3, 10am-5pm: Help GOLES (Good Old Lower East Side) at their office on 169 Avenue B between 11th street and 10th street.

Queens

• Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4, 10am–7pm: The Rockaway Youth Task Force will be doing daily clean-up and recover efforts. Meet at F 321 Beach 57th Street in the back of the building on Arverne Boulevard. For additional information e-mail info@rytf.org.
• The following locations have also been set up in Queens for donations according to the The Queens Tourism Council and the Queens Economic Development Corps:

1. Forest Hills: Thank Heaven Children’s Boutique, 72-18 Austin Street
2. Astoria: Queens Mamas, 23-74 38th Street, before 7pm, and through the weekend.
3. Powhatan Democratic Club, 41-05 Newtown Road, Astoria (Friday night 6:30pm-8:30pm, Saturday 1:30pm-4:30pm, Sunday 12pm-3pm)
4. Woodhaven: Woodhaven Development Corp, Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue.
5.  Assemblyman Mike Miller’s office, 83-91 Woodhaven Blvd, Woodhaven 718-805-0950
6.  Middle Village: Senator Joe Addabbo’s office: 66-85 73rd Place, Middle Village. 718-497-1630
7.  Glendale: Atlas Park Mall, at the old Borders Store, 8000 Cooper Ave. from 12:00-8pm today, November 1st. The Donation site: will be open throughout the weekend.
8.  Excalibur Reading Program, 80-17-78th Ave. Glendale. 347-725-4218
9.  Cook’s Crafts: 80-09 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale. 718-366-6085

Brooklyn

• Saturday, November 3, 2pm–6pm: 40 Volunteers are needed to help us go door to door to distribute information to homeowners about filing for federal disaster aid in Canarsie,Brooklyn. Space is limited, please RSVP to jjoseph@pubadvocate.nyc.gov.
• Sunday, November 4, two shifts (9am-3pm and 3pm to 9pm): 60 volunteers needed to help Masiba of Flatbush prepare and distribute meals for 600 people. The morning shift is from 9am – 3pm and the afternoon shift is from 3pm from 9pm. Please email your desired shift (must choose one)tojjoseph@pubadvocate.nyc.gov
• Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4, 10am–2pm: Friends of Brower Park will do a general clean-up. Meet at the Park House. Feel free to show up. For more info, email friendsofbrowerpark@gmail.com
• Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4: Councilman Jumaane Williams is looking for individuals with cars, trucks and/or vans that have sufficient gas to help deliver supplies to hard-hit residents. If you are willing and able please e-mail volunteersandy45th@gmail.com to coordinate.
• Monday, November 5, 12pm–5pm: Assemblyman Karim Camara will need help sorting donations at his district office and distributing supplies across the borough. Please email 43sandyhelp@gmail.com to volunteer.
• Saturday, November 3, 10 am: volunteers are needed to help clean up Red Hook. Please report to the Office of Emergency Management’s temporary office at 402 Van Brunt Street for an assignment.
• Saturday, November 3, 9 am to 6 pm: Help with resident and merchant outreach, area clean-up, and other relief efforts. Meet on the Boardwalk and W. 10 Street at 9am. Dress warmly, wear sturdy footwear or boots, and bring work gloves. Bring your own flashlight (with extra batteries), a backpack, and snacks/water for yourself for the day.
• Saturday, November 3, 9am to sunset: Please help us clean up Seagate. Volunteers should come prepared with gloves, high boots, and cleaning supplies and meet at 3700 Surf Avenue. At the gate please identify yourselves as volunteers from the Public Advocate’s Office. Jeff and Tammy will be on hand to organize volunteers. Please contact the Shomrim Command Center with any questions, 718-705-9666.

Staten Island

• Saturday, November 3, 9 am: Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis will be holding a clean-up in Staten Island. People will gather at the end of New Dorp Lane and Cedar Grove Avenue. Volunteers should bring any tools that may have (rakes, shovels, push brooms, work gloves, trash bags). Those who are unable to work the clean-up can donate equipment (brooms, rakes, garbage bags, shovels) at Monsignor Farrell High School at 2900 Amboy Road.