Hurricane Sandy - How You Can Help:
I made my fourth drop-off of relief supplies yesterday morning and stand in awe of the goodness that is radiating out from people everywhere. I'll be heading back out again this week and for as long as it takes. As I said to a friend who was off to help out at her local relief center, "we're going to be at this for awhile". And we're going to continue to need help. Here are somethings that you can do.
If you want to donate money, here is what I suggest:
The Occupy Sandy Relief Effort. Occupy Wall Street has quite honestly been kicking ass throughout this after storm period. From Red Hook to the Rockaways to Staten Island and everywhere that help is needed, Occupy has set up donation drop off locations, distribution centers, volunteer centers, just about everything you can think of that is needed at this time has been accomplished by Occupy. The We-Pay link is:
https://www.wepay.com/...
As far as I can tell 100% of monetary donations will be distributed to hurricane victims or used to buy supplies, good and foods to be distributed in afflicted areas. You can also 'like' the Occupy Sandy Facebook page here to receive updates and information about what is going on.
https://www.facebook.com/...
The Red Hook Initiative. First established as a community organization, the RHI swung into action in their flooded neighborhood at the height of the storm. You can donate at their website:
http://rhicenter.org/
The wonderful people at Greenpeace drove their bio-diesel powered truck "Rolling Sunlight" up from DC and out to the Rockaways. The truck has solar panels, a windmill and Wi-Fi. When we were there it was working at about 70% and was generating enough power to provide electricity to the entire Occupy storefront and to multiple power cords and strips that were being used to power up cell phones. It's one of the coolest things I've ever seen (and I'm old, not too much impresses
me anymore). With the power outages and gas shortages we are still experiencing here in NYC, it's fair to say that we really need to consider alternative energy resources. It's probably a good bet that even with Obama now re-elected, we won't see a whole lot of government development of alternative energy so we need to start thinking about creating it ourselves. The world needs more of these trucks. Consider a donation to Greenpeace so they can help make solar and wind power a reality everywhere.
http://www.greenpeace.org
Doctor's without Borders has always been one of my favorite charities. They do fabulous work all around the world and they actually have field teams out and about in NYC and New Jersey right now.. My former boss is their Chief Financial Officer and I always feel secure donating to them because he is one of the most ethical people I've ever met.
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
If you want to send supplies or goods directly, there are multiple Amazon wishlists:
http://www.amazon.com/...
http://www.amazon.com/...
You can also mail directly to:
St Jacobi Lutheran Church
5406 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11220
One of the things I did this weekend was empty out my basement of old blankets that had accumulated there, washed them, bagged them up and donated them. If you can't donate otherwise you may consider doing something like that. There are a lot of people still without power or heat or who have simply lost everything and there will continue to be people working clean up outdoors. Most places are no longer taking clothing but cold weather gear (coats, hats, gloves, scarves) is much appreciated.
Needs lists are posted here:
http://interoccupy.net/...
My daughter, is running a gift card drive and will either distribute cards to those in need or buy supplies for the ongoing relief effort. You can e-mail her at miminyc@gmail.com for more information.
You can also send whatever you want to me, I will make sure that whatever you send makes it to the right place. Message me for my address.
If you can't donate cash or goods, your prayers and light are very much appreciated.
I learned during and after September 11th and Hurricane Katrina, that you cannot wait for, or count on, help. You've got to get up and start doing. And here in New York City, we've always been doers. Please help us do what needs to be done.