Locals Continue Volunteering for Sandy Relief Efforts

It has been weeks since Hurricane Sandy ripped through the Northeast, and though the North Fork was spared the worst of what the mega storm had to offer, locals still have their eyes to the western parts of Long Island, many residents of which are still homeless.

During the last couple of weeks, Patch covered efforts by local firefighters to cover 24-hour shifts for their comrades in towns like Long Beach, Island Park and Lido Beach, places that have a long road ahead to recover from Sandy’s wrath.

And Mattituck resident Laurie Stelzer Reilly is still selling “Stronger Than Sandy” wristbands, designed by Mattituck natives Jackie Reilly and Vita Giannone, for $5 each, procedes from which will go to people who were hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy — those living in Long Beach, Amity Harbor and Broad Channel.

North Fork resident Peggy Toner informed Patch this week of her efforts to support animal rescue groups involved in the Sandy recovery effort. Toner has been donating to Sean Casey Animal Rescue, located on East 3rd Street in Brooklyn, Guardians of Rescue, Rescue Ink, and the North Shore Animal League — a no-kill shelter currently housing animals separated from owners due to Sandy.

“These groups have been instrumental in reuniting animals, lost during and after the storm, with owners,” Toner said. “They also are housing pets whose owners are in shelters or temporary housing where no pets are allowed. The groups need donations of pet food, crates, newspaper, towels and more.”

Greenport resident Lara McNeil has been volunteering for Island Harvest, a food bank based out of Hauppauge that has refocused their annual Turkey and Trimmings Collection Campaign to those still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. McNeil was involved in a collection effort this past Sunday in Mattituck and will head up another collection on Dec. 16 also in Mattituck.

“Their volunteer portal is very easy to use, and they need more people out here,” McNeil said. “ I believe it is a four-hour commitment.”

Click here for more information and if you’d like to volunteer for Island Harvest.

And during this week filled with company holiday parties, and at least one business is donating all proceeds from the party to Long Island charities supporting disaster recovery from Hurricane Sandy. The party happens at Hotel Indigo in Riverhead on Thursday at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available, and the party is priced at a suggested donation of $60 per guest inclusive.

Charities include Rotary District 7260, Island Harvest, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available by calling Hotel Indigo directly at 631-369-2200 or on the Hotel Indigo East End website at www.indigoeastend.com. Special room rates are also available for attendees of the party, who would like to make a night of it.

Don’t miss an all-star lineup including Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, and Alicia Keys on Wednesday the “12-12-12” concert for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, to broadcast live from Madison Square Garden at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Are you involved in ongoing Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts? Let us know about it in the comments.

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