[Updated] Superstorm Sandy Aftermath: How to Help

[desertrose]

 

New York Observer

 

 

All hands on deck.

By Steve Huff 

(MTA/Flickr)

Looking for opportunities to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy? Many organizations are looking for volunteers.

We’ll keep this list updated as we hear of additional opportunities.

• New York Cares offers options for those who have attended New York Cares orientation in the past and for those who have not had the orientation but still want to help.
• New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has a Hurricane Sandy NYC Volunteer sign-up sheet here. After you complete the form, the City’s Public Advocate Office will make contact by phone.
• The Greater New York Region Red Cross has a comprehensive page up about helping after Sandy. It list requirements for volunteering at a Red Cross shelter. They include being over 16 and availability to work 12-hour shifts from Wednesday, October 31 to Friday, November 2. Red Cross volunteers must also be able to lift at least 50 pounds, and be prepared to work at shelter locations outside of New York City and willing to stay for up to 72 hours.
• New York City Councilman Brad Lander addresses the need for volunteers on his home page, linking to the city’s service site for anyone who wants to volunteer in the future and also listing needs for the John Jay High School shelter in his district, located at 237 Seventh Avenue, between Fourth and Fifth Streets. Items needed there include clothing for men, women and children, towels and shoes.
• Google’s Crisis Map lists shelters as well. Many of those facilities may need volunteers.
• Volunteers can contact City Hall directly by emailing [e-mail]. Include a good contact email address, name and borough.
• The Lower East Side Recovers is a site intended to help organize recovery efforts on–obviously–the Lower East Side: “The site allows people to offer/request assistance, and is coordinated by the folks at Occupy NYC and community organizations on the ground.” The site suggests using #SandyVolunteer on Twitter to connect with others who want to help.
• Mayor Bloomberg has recommended residents visit Disasterassistance.gov for recovery assistance.
• Hurricane Sandy canceled blood drives, so blood banks may be running low. Find places to donate blood here.