Monday, November 12, 2012

Occupy Sandy Relief Efforts



A colleague of mine is volunteering with Occupy Sandy, which has branches in NY and NJ.  We talked this morning about the effort.  This donation set up is through wedding registries on Amazon.com.  Also, beyond just the registries, both Occupy Sandy’s are coordinating volunteers, deliveries, pantries of items throughout many community centers, transportation, etc.  It is a herculean effort that is making a difference.

I wanted to share this with you in case you are just not sure what to do.  This registries, set up for needs for both the Brooklyn devastation and the NJ devastation (the only type Amazon has is a wedding registry) helps coordinate very specific items with people who might want to make a donation but do not know what is needed.  Brief description below of the registries and links.  My colleague has mentioned that they are highly organized and have gotten supplies to many of the people who need it. 

Sandy in NY
Occupy Sandy NY and Occupy Sandy's NY Wedding Registry
Shipping Address: Occupy Sandy - Brooklyn, New York
Event Date: November 30, 2012
Couples' Style: Warm, non-perishable
Description: Help donate to the victims of Hurricane Sandy by shipping items to the Occupy Sandy relief outpost at the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew in Clinton Hill (520 Clinton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238). Our team: John Heggestuen, Alex Nordenson, and Katherine Dolan. We are Brooklyn residents and are in touch with the Occupy Sandy team who will receive the shipped items and organize daily deliveries to priority response areas. We are the updating the registry as we get info on what is needed most in affected areas. PLEASE pay for the most expedited shipping - these items are needed ASAP. Also, please contact Amazon after your order and ask them to reimburse you for shipping. We've heard this has been honored for a few people now who told them about the cause and so we encourage everyone to do it! **PLEASE help us track inventory instantaneously - send an email to sandyregistryinventory@gmail.com letting us know what you donated. Email sandyregistryinfo@gmail.com with any other questions/feedback on the registry and email sandyregistrypr@gmail.com for additional info about our team** Please follow us on Twitter for further updates: @SandyRegistry ***Here's a link to see some of the work being done at the church: http://slmimages.tumblr.com/ *** ***Check out how the storm hit Rockaway: http://howsandyhitrockaway.tumblr.com/*** ***If you have any issues with the "Gift Registry" saved address for the church not auto-populating please enter it manually: The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew 520 Clinton Ave Brooklyn, New York 11238 THANK YOU!
NOTE: This couple has requested no gift wrap.

Sandy in NJ
Occupy Sandy NJ and Occupy Sandy NJ's Wedding Registry
Shipping Address: Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne St. - Jersey City, NJ
Event Date: October 29, 2012
Couples' Style: All you need is love
Description: Your donations make a difference! Critical supplies support NJ residents seeking shelter, food, warmth, and human kindness in Sandy's aftermath. For up-to-date information about how to help, visit http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/newjersey-locations/ or http://www.jcnjrecovery.org/. Items purchased will be sent to the Jersey City Sandy Recovery distribution center at Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne St, Jersey City, NJ, 07302. If you have Amazon Prime or are able to pay for expedited shipping, prompt delivery is GREATLY appreciated. *Items may not show as purchased until they are shipped. Rest assured that they are in queue.* Feedback welcome at sandyreliefnj@gmail.com. @SandyRegistryNJ is Leah Barton hunkered down in Houston, TX, with strong support from Heather Balliet Lee in Jersey City. Hat tip to the original @SandyRegistry in NY. Check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/JerseyCitySandyRecovery/ for additional needs. ***SATURDAY UPDATE from the terrific Barrow Mansion volunteers - We are able to deprioritize food, clothes, and toiletries now that other organizations are up and running. We still need CLEANING SUPPLIES and TOOLS FOR UPCOMING RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS.*** 600 BOXES have been delivered to date - details at http://tinyurl.com/sandynjsaturday. Please spread the word through your networks! THANK YOU for your incredible support!
NOTE: This couple has requested no gift wrap.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Thanksgiving - More than ever, please help others

Living in Northern New Jersey, and vacationing many years on Long Beach Island, the effects of Hurricane Sandy have touched us all.  My family is lucky.  We lost power up north but that was the worst of it.  There are many others that have had profound difficulties, and I continue to keep them in my good thoughts and prayers.


There are so many opportunities to give thanks by helping others who have been displaced and made homeless by this huge storm.  Here are a couple suggestions:

Help residents of Long Beach Island, NJ:  Love In A Bag
http://www.lbisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/LBISource-bag1.jpgIf you need retail therapy that will help residents, purchase the bag.  In addition, here is the official LBI Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund link.

Help residents of Staten Island, NY:  This effort was verified through one of our profs at The College of Westchester in White Plains, NY.  Feel free to contact me directly via email for more information.  He set up a relief effort that the college is participating in to help affected residents of Staten Island.  Call Romeo Brothers Meat Corporation in Brooklyn and ask to donate to Thomas Joseph Catering.  Charge whatever you’d like to your debit/credit card and leave them your name and number (Thomas will be contacting you to let you know how you helped and who got the food your donations went towards).  Romeo Brothers Meat Corporation – (718)331 - 5911


Help residents of Long Island, NY
http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/11/06/hurricane-sandy-donation-drop-off-locations-on-long-island/
 Typically, what is needed depends on the location, but food pantries and shelters need serving supplies as well as food and clothing, paper products and water.  Click here for info.   

Here is a partial list of what people need and what caterers are asking for:
 Needed Supplies

·         plastic wrap (high demand)
·         aluminum foil (high demand)
·         half trays with lids (catering style)
·         whole trays with lids (catering style)
·         sternos  
·         blankets
·         towels
·         paper products


Needed Food
·         pasta (any kind) 
·         tomato sauce
·         tomato cans
·         onions
·         garlic
·         grated cheese
·         red peppers
·         green peppers
·         chop meat
·         chicken (breast or parts)
·         broccoli
·         sausage
·         eggs
·         American cheese
·         Cheddar cheese

Cross Post form Bad Girl's Kitchen - Pumpkin Parmesan Pasta Sauce

Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Parmesan Pasta SauceGetting into the Thanksgiving spirit after Hurricane Sandy, the best thing I could think of, besides helping and praying for victims is to plan Thanksgiving!  Here is a great post from Bad Girl's Kitchen for Pumpkin Parmesan Pasta Sauce.
 Interestingly, Williams Sonoma included a recipe for Pumpkin Parmesan Crock Pot Lasagna that I am going to try for the holiday.  If you don't feel like making the sauce you can purchase it from Williams Sonoma here