Hurricane Sandy: How You Can Help, Get Help

TO GIVE HELP

If you are able to leave your home safely and want to help, here are options for volunteering your time, as well as some options for donations.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

The Red Cross
(800) 733-2767 (RED-CROSS)

• The American Red Cross is reaching out for people to help in several ways, including providing assistance in shelters, providing support in Red Cross warehouse and helping with distributing needed supplies. For more information, visit our page dedicated to the organization's cause.

1. Text ABC to 90999 to give $10 to the American Red Cross
2. Visit http://www.redcross.org/abc
3. Phone: 1-800-HELP-NOW

United Way
(703) 836-7112
communications@uwnyc.org

• The United Way has officially launched an initiatve in which 100 percent of the money raised will go to help victims of Sandy. To donate, visit UWSandyRecovery.org or text "RECOVERY" to 52000.

• The HSUS is providing critically needed animal sheltering assistance for animals and families who evacuated their homes because of Sandy. To support The HSUS's work in the Sandy recovery efforts, please donate at the organization's website, call (866) 720-2676 or text "ANIMALS" to 20222 and donate $10 to support The HSUS Disaster Relief Fund. Standard messaging and data rates apply.

• Visitors to the organization's website and fill out a disaster volunteer application to get involved.

• Those interested can click on the front page to find out how to get involved with the relief effort. There is also an option to support the organization's Sandy relief efforts by texting "iCARE" to 85944 to donate $10. Reply "YES" to confirm after sending the message.

• Visit the organization's website to register for Sandy recovery projects. Jersey Cares will then reach out to you when the projects are in place.

• Those wishing to donate funds through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation can send a personal check made out to the T2T Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund to:
  
  T2T Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306
  
  Donors may designate where they would like their funds to go on the Memo line -- NY Relief, NJ Relief, etc. You can also go donate online and donate at TunnelToTowersFoundation.org.

Long Island Volunteer Center
(516) 564-5482
info@longislandvolunteercenter.org

• Visit the organizations website and complete an individual profile to register for Sandy recovery projects. The center will then reach out with instructions and a specific place to go.

• Those interested should send an email to the address listed above with his or her name, email address, phone number and borough or call 311.

• Through the website, those interested have the option to either donate money ($35, $60, $120 or another amount of one's choosing), donate food or volunteer.

• Through the organization's website, those interested can find how to get involved with Adopt-A-Family, give blood or become a a community emergency response team member.

• Through the organization's website, those interested can make a donation or by calling the numbers listed above. Communities are also encouraged to hold a fundraiser or food drive within their own community by contact local businesses or organizations. After the arrangements are confirmed, register your event by visiting this site. Also, donations of food, cleaning supplies, water, and other nonperishable items are needed at the following Island Harvest locations:
  
  Island Harvest Food Collection & Distribution Center
  40 Marcus Blvd.
  Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788
  Hours: Weekdays, 10:00am-3:00pm
  
  Island Harvest Uniondale Warehouse (behind the Holly Patterson extended care facility)
  875 Jerusalem Ave.
  Uniondale, N.Y. 11553
  Hours: Weekdays, 10:00am-3:00pm
  
  In addition, the organization is sponsoring a "Turkey and Trimmings Collection Campaign," in which those interested can drop off frozen turkeys or non-perishable goods at area Panera Bread stores and Bristal Assisted Living North Hills. For more information, visit this site.
  
  New York Urban League
  (718) 442-5579
  
  • The NYUL is taking up donations to deliver to a distribution center for Hurricane Sandy victims on Staten Island, located at 6 Van Duzer Street. The organization is looking for lightly worn clothing and shoes, baby and adult diapers, deodorant, water, batteries and socks
    
    The drop off location is at:
    
    
    204 W. 136th St.
    Between Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. and Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem
    
    Items can be donated from 9:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday and from 9:00am to noon on Saturday. The Staten Island pick up location will be open from noon to 5:00pm on Saturdays and 1:00pm-5:00pm on Sundays. Additional pick-up days will be announced.
  
  Brooklyn Recovery Fund
  (718) 246-6886
  development@bcfny.org
  
  • The fund is a joint effort of the Brooklyn Community Foundation, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. It will provide support to Brooklyn's nonprofit organizations working with the communities and individuals most affected by Hurricane Sandy. Those who want to contribute can do so here.
  Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
  
  The Catholic Charities in Brooklyn and Queens are in need of both volunteers to be part of a clean-up crew to help restore parish-based food pantries and program sites and donations. To see where you can drop off materials and what items are needed, visit this page.
  
  Archdiocese of New York
  
  Cardinal Timonthy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, has called for a special collection to be taken up for Hurricane Sandy victims this weekend at all of the collective parishes in Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties. Checks should be sent to the Chancery Office. The distribution of the monies that are received will be administered by the Cardinal's Office and a report will be made available to our donors. For more information, contact the parish nearest you.