The Brunetti's home in Baldwin Harbor is now demolished - they are one of 600 families in Nassau County who are still not back in their homes after Hurricane Sandy
"With every passing holiday, it does strike a chord with me," said Tess Brunetti.
However this Thanksgiving was a chance to forget the struggles and enjoy a meal with other Sandy families who understand what each other is going through.
"It's a very nice thing, I never expected such a thing, but it came, so I joined the crowd," said Oceanside resident Milton Goldsmith.
Butch Yamali, the owner of the Coral House in Baldwin put on the event out of his own pocket.
"To see the families that are struggling out there, still not back in their homes more than a year later, it's horrible," says Yamali, "these are our community people, our relatives, people you went to school with."
They also get each other and share a bond - even if it's one they were forced to accept.
"There are just so many people out there who just don't understand, who think it's been a year and people are fine now, said Tess Brunetti.
The struggling may not be over, but there is a sense of peace through keeping tradition.
