(The Verge)- Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast hard. On October 29, Sandy made landfall over New Jersey, causing massive devastation up and down the eastern seaboard. Sandy has claimed 113 lives in the US, with that number still rising. Atlantic City, Long Beach Island, Seaside Heights, Sea Bright, Staten Island and Long Island were many areas hit hard, along with hundreds of other towns. The devastation is catastrophic, and pictures don’t even do justice for how bad the wreckage is. There is a long, long cleanup ahead of us. There are many different ways you can get involved and help out the community.
To start off, you can donate money, supplies and blood through numerous organizations. The American Red Cross is offering money and supplies from numerous areas. You can text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a ten dollar donation as well.
The Salvation Army is also handing out money, supplies and hot meals to those in need. Local Salvation Army locations are accepting clothing and furniture donations. You can find locations by visiting their website or looking in Google. Text “Storm” to 80888 to make a ten dollar donation.
Local areas are setting up their own cleanup crews as well. The Brooklyn Recovery Fund is helping small businesses impacted by Sandy. People who were involved in “Occupy Wallstreet” have now set up “Occupy Sandy”, and are coordinating volunteers to hard hit areas such as downtown New York and Rockaway. They are collecting donations as well. You can follow them on Twitter for updates @OccupySandy. “Staten Island Recovers” is coordinating community powered disaster recovery, as well as donating clothing, tools money and more. Donations are accepted.
You can also visit Jettylife.com to buy an awesome shirt, with all proceeds going to those affected by Sandy. Shirts are 20 dollars.
Don’t leave your pets behind! People tend to run to the nearest shelter, leaving their pets to fend for themselves in a time of disaster. The Humane Society is leading pet search and rescue efforts and you can visit their website to get more information on how to help.
There are so many ways to help. You can go hand out food or donate old clothes, shoes, coats and supplies. There are hundreds of organizations doing relief work as well. It will take a lot of people to come together and help rebuild our beautiful Jersey beaches, as well as great areas we know and love such as Brooklyn and Staten Island. Go out and make a difference. Some people are still without power. Some people lost everything they ever had, including their homes. Go out and make a difference, and be thankful for everything you have.
