Imagine being alone in the dark for days without news, water or heat. Frightened, not knowing what was going on--perhaps thinking you were forgotten and left to your fate, alone.
For some elderly and shut-ins, especially in large elevator buildings without power, the volunteer who visited yesterday was the first human contact or aid since Sandy hit.
Volunteer TODAY, to check on residents of the Lower East Side (LES) and Stuyvesant Town, provide food, water, and other assistance. If you can help, even a couple of hours, details and contacts are below. People with gassed-up vehicles are needed to drive volunteers and suplies too.
Details and more volunteer opportunities in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, below.
UPDATE: ALSO below, in-person absentee voting info, hours and locations. Don't let Sandy disenfranchise you!
NY State Senator Liz Krueger (212) 490-9535 lkrueger@senate.state.ny.us rounded up this information, also on her website and I am passing it on in hopes that some NY Kossacks can help. Perhaps not as much stair climbing today as some areas have power restored--but not all. And not all buildings have power even in areas that have been restored.
Manhattan
Volunteer TODAY, check on LES or Stuy Town residents, provide food, water, and other assistance. For some elderly and shut ins, the volunteer visit yesterday was the first human contact or aid since Sandy hit. Details:
Volunteer Relief Work Today 10am - 5pm
Organized door-knocking on the LES. Meet downtown at 200 Madison Street (cross-street is Rutgers Street). We'll be checking on residents and helping distribute aid and identify at-risk residents that need help.
To 200 Madison St. from north on the East Side, take the M-15 bus down Second Ave. Exit where the route turns onto Allen St, a block away from 200 Madison Street. Bring a flashlight for your own safety, and a backpack, comfortable shoes!
9am–6pm: Check-in on and assist the residents of Stuyvesant Town. Go to Peter Cooper Village Community Center located in Stuyvesant Town (enter on 16th street and 1st Ave) to check-in and receive an assignment.
10am-5pm Help GOLES (Good Old Lower East Side) at their office on 169 Avenue B between 11th street and 10th street.
10am-1pm: Help clean-up Riverside Park. Meet at one of 3 locations, 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).
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.
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.
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.
FROM THE COMMENTS:
From MoveOn
NYCC—Our friends at New York Communities for Change have been working tirelessly to deliver aid to those in need in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island—and they've already run out of food and diapers at one of their distribution centers.
The NYCC Downtown Brooklyn office will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day and is in urgent need of donated supplies, which can be dropped off at their conveniently-located office. They're also accepting volunteers—especially those with vehicles who can help deliver aid. Have questions? Email Info@nycommunities.org or call (347) 410-6919 extension 286. Their address is 2-4 Nevins St, 2nd Fl Brooklyn, NY 11217.
Here is a list of supplies needed:
Non-perishable food
Bottled water
Baby food
Baby blankets
Diapers
Batteries of all sizes, but especially D and AA
Make the Road—If you can make it to Staten Island, Make the Road needs supplies to distribute there, especially non-perishable food and warm clothes and blankets. Their Staten Island office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 479 Port Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY, 10302. For more information, email Daniel.Coates@maketheroadny.org or call (718) 727-1222 extension 3445.
Cars desperately needed @ St Bernadette's 1313 83rd St BK (Brooklyn) to deliver donations. Just show up & ask for Athina, Natalie or Sr. Shirlee
More ops in Brooklyn at Do Good Right Here
Occupy Sandy
IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING hours are extended!
Manhattan -- 450 West 33rd St-To Pick Up Ballots and Vote In Person Hours: Friday 9:00am-8:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-8:00pm, Sunday 9:00am-8:00pm, Monday 9:00am-8:00pm 212-465-0503
Brooklyn--345 Adams Street, 4th Floor, Hours: Friday 9:00am-9:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-9:00pm, Sunday 9:00am-9:00pm, Monday 9:00am-9:00pm 718-797-8800
Staten Island--1 Edgewater Plaza, 4th Floor, Friday 9:00am-9:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-9:00pm, Sunday 9:00am-9:00pm, Monday 9:00am-9:00pm Phone: 718-876-0079
Queens--126-06 Queens Blvd. Hours: Friday 9:00am-9:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-9:00pm, Sunday 9:00am-9:00pm, Monday 9:00am-9:00pm Phone: 718-730-6730
The Bronx--1780 Grand Concourse, Friday 9:00am-9:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-9:00pm, Sunday 9:00am-9:00pm, Monday 9:00am-9:00pm, 718-299-9017
Naussau County--240 Old Country Road 5th Fl Mineola NY 11501
Friday 7:00am-10:00pm, Saturday 7:00am-10:00pm, Sunday 7:00am-10:00pm, Monday 7:00am-10:00pm Phone: 516-571-2411
Suffolk County--700 Yaphank Ave. Yaphank NY 11980, Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm, Sunday Closed, Monday 9:00am-5:00pm Phone: 631-852-4500
Info posted at WNYC Radio
10:06 AM PT: In-person absentee voting extended, info.