Before she even hit, we knew that Hurricane Sandy would be one for the record books, but it was not until the damage has begun to be accessed that a true understanding of the destruction caused by Sandy has really sunk in. If you have been lucky enough to be left unscathed by Sandy, and you’d like to lend a hand to your neighbors, as well as other local Long Islanders in need, there are many ways to do so. There are opportunities to make donations in the form of food, clothing, supplies, much needed funds, as well as opportunities to volunteer to help clean up the post-storm mess. We’ve compiled a guide of some of the local & national organizations that are providing aid to those effected by Hurricane Sandy, and are in great need of your help and support as we begin to recover from the worst storm the North East has ever experienced.
- Island Harvest is collecting donations of food and supplies at 199 Second Street, Mineola. Or, you can call them and to find out if a more local Donation Station has been set up near you – 516-294-8528.
- Long Island Cares is collecting donations of food and supplies at 10 Davids Drive (Harry Chapin Way), Hauppauge, NY. You can also make monetary donations via PayPal right on their website.S
- The Salvation Army is accepting donations online, and via text message to directly benefit those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Simply text STORM to 80888 to make your donation of $10. If you are volunteer-certified, you can sign up to donate your time, and assist in disaster relief efforts.
- AmeriCares is accepting donations through their website to assist them in their efforts to distribute much needed relief supplies such as clean water, medical supplies, food, and other necessities to those who need it most throughout the tri-state area.
- The American Red Cross is in desperate need of additional funds, as they have been providing food and shelter to thousands of displaced people across nine states during the worst of the storm. You can make a donation directly to the Long Island Chapter right through their website, or you can make a donation of $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
- The Red Cross is also coordinating Blood Drives across the country – there are patients in need of these life saving donations, despite the weather conditions.
- If you’d like to schedule a Blood Donation, or find out what Blood Donation Centers are currently open on Long Island, you can call 800-933-2566, or visit the New York Blood Center’s website.
- Long Island Food Not Bombs will be collecting & distributing food at their locations throughout the week - please visit their website for a full list of times & locations - including Tuesdays from 7-8:30PM next to the All Weather Tire in Huntington Station, where they distribute supplies to those in need. They are in need of donations & volunteers, and have locations in Nassau & Suffolk - go to the site to see how you can get involved!
- In Lindenhurst, nurse and mother, Melody Anne Butler, is collecting, organizing and distributing baby supplies to families in need. Diapers, wipes, car seats, newborn, infant and toddler clothing, baby food and forumla are among the items the Lindenhurst mother of four is organizing for Long Island families who lost everything in Hurricane Sandy. She will be accepting donations through the New Year.
- The Long Island Volunteer Center's website lets you browse through local volunteer opportunities, and lets site users set up a profile including interests and skill sets, allowing potential volunteers to be matched with an organization that can best utilize their assistance. There are countless opportunities to help out all over Long Island, and resource is a great way to find the perfect match for you!
- Serve.gov's Sandy Page has information about volunteering and donating on Long Island, and throughout the tri-state area. They offer numerous resources on how you can help on Long Island, and in NYC.
- Pay it Forward NY is a local organization founded by Babylon & Lindenhurst locals in an effort to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. They've been collecting & distributing food, toiletries, gift cards for neccessities, and more to South Shore families that have been devestated by Sandy. Just a week after the storm, they helped one local family demo their house at absolutely no charge. Check the Pay it Forward NY Facebook Page for upcoming events, and info on how you can help.
Special Events & Concerts to Benefit Hurricane Sandy Victims
- In Lindenhurst, there will be a hurricane relief concert set to take place on November 11th from 6:30 to 9:30PM to raise money for hurricane relief. The concert will be at 149 N. Wellwood Ave. in Lindenhurst. At the concert, there will be a raffle and snacks for sale as well. Although Lindenhurst was one of the areas impacted by the storm’s wrath, the community has come together to help one another. Babylon’s Citizens Council proposed the concert. Singers such as: Steve Robinson, Maria Fairchild, Cathy Kreger, Wavelength, Sid Cherry, Kendall and Korb, Ira Perlman, Bob Blatchley, Josh Joffen, and Cecilia Kirtland will put on the concert.
- Wednesday November 14th at 7PM, music students of Westbury High School & the Long Island Philharmonic will be hosting a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Admission to this event is free, and monetary donations for Island Harvest will be collected at the door. The concert will be held at Westbury High School - for more information, please contact Nadine at 516-874-1137.
- The Paramount of Huntington has set up a warming & charging station that will be open now through Sunday, Nov. 11th 12PM - 12AM. Free water & soda will be available, and ice will be available (limit 2 bags per person) while supplies last.
- The Paramount will also be hosting numerous concerts which will in part benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy, including: Megadeth on Saturday, 11/12 benefitting the Red Cross, the Wallflowers on Sunday, 11/11 (charity TBD), and Taking Back Sunday on Wednesday, 11/21 benefitting the LI Cares Food Drive.
If you’re affiliated with, or know of any local charities that will be organizing relief efforts for Long Islanders effected by Hurricane Sandy, let us know, and we will add them to this guide. There’s a lot of work to be done as Long Island recovers from this storm, and your donations of funds, supplies, and time are appreciated by the entire community.
