bs"d
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Sent: Mon, Nov 5, 2012 11:01 am
Subject: Flatbush Clothing drop-off center- please share
In response to the overwhelming requests to help:
A drop-off/pickup center has been established to help those who are affected by
the devastation of hurricane Sandy in Flatbush.
They are in need of COATS, SWEATERS, MENS AND LADIES GARMENTS, SHOES, HATS,
BEDDING, GLOVES, CLOTHING FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, TOYS AND BOOKS.
Items should be in fairly good condition and cleaned (so the recipients can
maintain some sense of dignity).
They are also looking for volunteers to assist in the center from the hours of
9:30am to 10:00pm in 2-3 hour shifts (or more, if you have the time, we're all
in this together)
The address is 2294 Nostrand Avenue between Avenue I and Avenue J (across the
street from Zelda's art shop) in the STORE FRONT ENTRANCE.
contact info:
וכל מי שעוסק בצרכי ציבור הקב"ה משלם שכרו....
תזכו למצוות!
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Here is a link of a MBD This must see video shows total devastation to Seagate Community. Fema is only giving out applications. No money. It will take months and months of processing.
There is damage and devastation in Sea Gate beyond imagination. If you are able
to donate to the Sea Gate hurricane relief fund please go to:
UPDATE FROM THE COMMAND CENTER
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY CLOTHING.
WE HAVE WAREHOUSES FULL OF USED CLOTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE SORTED. DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED MORE THAN WE SORT AT THIS TIME. WE WILL REOPEN FOR ADDITIONAL CLOTHING DONATIONS IN A FEW DAYS.
IF YOU ARE A STORE OR WHOLESALER ONLY WHO CAN PROVIDE NEW CLOTHING IN BULK PLEASE CALL US AT 917-566-6593 .
ITEMS CURRENTLY NEEDED
Money: Many families need to hire electricians, replace their electric panels and most of their electric lines, and buy furnishings and major appliances just to be able to move in. Contrary to what you may have heard, these expenses are not covered by FEMA or insurance companies. Please use the donate button to help us. 100% of the funds raised will be used by victims.
Volunteers: We need volunteers, able and strong, to help families carry out loads of water soaked possessions, including furniture and heavy appliances. If you can volunteer, please call us at 718-705-9666 . We cannot arrange transportation at this time.
Food: There are many volunteers and victims here that need food. We have many offers of food, so before you send, please call us and confirm the need. We need ready to eat food, as we do not have storage, heating, or refrigeration capabilities.
Equipment: If you have generators or pumps with gasoline, please bring them to our command center in Seagate. We also need cleaning supplies, contractor garbage bags, and boots.
Transportation: We have families and equipment that need transportation to and from Seagate. If you can provide transportation please let us know.
Gasoline: We need gasoline for the command center that uses approximately 30 gallons daily, and cannot be moved. We also need gas for the many generators that are running. If you have gas available please let us know.
Trailers: We are in desperate need of shipping containers and/or trailers for storage.
Shaimos: We have tons of shaimos. If you are able to assist us with proper removal of shaimos, please let us know.
Posted by Seagate Hurricane Emergency Fund at 11:28 AM
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Tax deductible checks can be sent to:
Congregation Yereim of Seagate
Attn: Hurricane relief fund
1303 53rd Street, #258
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Posted by Seagate Hurricane Emergency Fund at 5:46 PM 7 comments:
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Hurricane relief campaign spearheaded by Achiezer -- a community resource center
in the Far Rockaway - Five Towns under the leadership of Rabbi Boruch B.
Bender. Achiezer's hotline is 516-791-4444 ; or they can be reached at -------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED!
Wolf & Lamb Brooklyn is accepting donations of the following items for immediate distribution to the nearby coastal communities of Seagate, Coney Island, and other nearby areas hard hit by the storm. Please take a few minutes to help those hardest hit by the storm. PLEASE LIMIT DONATIONS TO THE ITEMS ON THIS LIST. The following list has been provided by volunteers on the scene and is urgently needed to help in the cleanup effort.
DROPOFF AT W&L BROOKLYN AT 1635 CONEY ISLAND AVENUE & AVENUE M BETWEEN 3 and 7 PM TODAY,WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.
HEAVY DUTY CONTRACTOR GARBAGE BAGS
HEAVY DUTY GLOVES
HEAVY DUTY DUCT TAPE
VERY WARM SWEATSHIRTS (SIZE LARGE AND UP)
TOWELS
MATS
GRANOLA & ENERGY BARS
FLASHLIGHTS AND BATTERIES
WARM COATS (FOR THE ELDERLY ON UPPER FLOORS WITHOUT HEAT)
WARM BLANKETS
CANVAS OR HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC SHEETING
We will, G-d willing, update the list as we are updated by the volunteers on the scene.
Thank you so much on behalf of the recipients of your generosity
!
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GAS!!!!!!!
New Chaveirim Dedicated Telephone Number with continually updated info on where gas is available: 212-596-8181
Also go on www.gasbuddy.com/Sandy You can see real time which gas stations have gas and which don't. I understand It uses Google Maps. Users comment and ask each other questions like is it cash only or how long did you have to wait etc. A great site.
Warning:
Date: Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 4:19 PM
"It is against the law to carry over 20 gallons of gas (4x5gallon containers) in your car and not have proper Haz-Mat warning labels on the exterior of your vehicle.
Additionally the police are asking you to prove that you will not be reselling it & price gouging it.
They are also making sure you are using containers approved to sore gasoline.
Many people have driven in to Connecticut to re-fuel & fill up cans of gas & wound up being arrested.
Our Connecticut office is currently working with local officials after two members of our community have been arrested there.
We urge you to pass this message along to your friends & family."
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Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2012 09:41:16 -0500
Subject: Urgent flood help needed
I was in Far Rockaway/Bayswater yesterday. The devastation is tremendous. Imagine in this weather, no heat, electricity, gas, clean clothes, winter clothes. Peoples houses are ripped out with their possessions in huge mounds of garbage on the lawn waiting to be picked up. On the other hand Klal Yisroel is trying to help. A group that I volunteer with, Chasdei Lev, is providing hot meals daily at three locations, trucks are bringing in donated clothing and we provided laundry service for them yesterday.
We must obtain 500 new sets of pillows, blankets (sleeping bags are even better), sheets and towels. There are two issues, supply and funding.
Supply;
Can you locate a factory or store that could help with any of these components?
Funding;
Ideally the supplier will give the product for free or at a substantially reduced rate. Regardless, we need the products, do you know anyone who could donate toward these products? Checks can made payable to Chasdei Lev, I'll get them from you and tax receipts will be issued.
Feel free to forward this email and/or have people contact me with any ideas re these supplies.
It is colder than here in that area at night, please see if you can help!
Thank you,
Baruch
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Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2012 19:46:12 +0000
Subject: FW: [v'dibarta] Another Hurricane Sandy Relief Shabbos
fyi
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 2:41 PM
To: Gelbfish, Larry
Subject: FW: [v'dibarta] Another Hurricane Sandy Relief Shabbos
Levi:
I hope this finds you well and that you were/are relatively unaffected by the storm.
If I remember correctly, you originally come from SeaGate and that you have family in Far Rockaway/Five Towns. The Silver Spring community last Shabbos hired a bus and brought several families from the affected regions down to Silver Spring for Shabbos. They may do this again if there is interest. Please share the email below with anyone you think might take advantage of this opportunity. Separately, if you or anyone you know needs a place for Shabbos or beyond, please let me know and we would be happy to host them.
Wishing you all shalom and bracha.
Jay
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 2:32 PM
To: vdibarta vdibarta; Jewish List; KM list
Subject: [v'dibarta] Another Hurricane Sandy Relief Shabbos
Please forward to your friends in NY/NJ who expect to be without power this shabbos.
The Silver Spring Community and others are seeking expressions of interest for another bus from the NY/NJ area to Silver Spring and its environs for this coming Shabbos. If there is interest, a bus will leave Friday morning with a return to the NY (or NJ) area on Sunday evening. Transportation will be free. Home hospitality and meals will be provided.
Please share this message by e-mail, social media, etc.
Send all requests to
MDreliefshabbos@gmail.com with any questions or with the family name and the total number of people (adults and children) who would come if the bus were provided.
We will have more formal "registration" once we have identified the need. As with the last one, the registration will be thorough the Young Israel Shomrai Emunah website.
If you do not need transportation, we can still arrange hospitality.
Silver Spring residents who wish to host, we'll post a link for signing up when we've assessed the need. Well over 100 families volunteered to host last time.
Thanks, everyone.
--Chad Miller
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Date: Tue, Nov 6, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Subject: Hurricane Sandy: Con Ed Reimbursement
Hi,
If you or someone you know was affected by the storm and could use a little extra help. Con Ed is reimbursing people who lost power for more than 12 hours up to $450. Check it out.
If you experienced a power outage that resulted from a failure in Con Edison's local distribution system that lasted for more than 12 hours within a 24-hour period:
• You may file a claim, up to a maximum of $450, for actual losses of food spoiled due to lack of refrigeration.
• Claims for food up to $200 must include an itemized list.
• Claims for food over $200 must include an itemized list and proof of loss (for example: cash register tapes, store or credit card receipts, cancelled checks, or photographs of spoiled items).
• In addition, you may file a claim for actual losses of prescription medicine, spoiled due to lack of refrigeration.
• You must include an itemized list and proof of loss (for example: pharmacy prescription label or pharmacy receipt identifying the medicine).
• We may also request authorization to enable Con Edison to verify the loss of prescription medicine.
• Reimbursement for prescription medicine is not included in the $450 maximum for food spoilage.
• Claims must be filed within 30 days of the date of the power outage.
• Reimbursement is limited to food and medicine and is governed by Con Edison's electric rate schedule.
• Losses for damage to motors, equipment, or appliances are not reimbursable under the electric rate schedule.
** Claims for reimbursement for losses sustained as of result of power outages caused by storms or other conditions beyond our control will not be paid. **
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Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2012 12:24:56
JRunners (and MBD) presents;
"5k to recover"
To benefit the seagate families affected by Sandy. (Seagate sandy fund?)
5k run/walk.
Registration fee $25.
Dec 2 2012.
Men start 9:00 am
Women start 9:45.
All runners receive long sleeve tee shirts. (Cotton)
Finishers get a Commemorative ribbon.
This race is a fundraiser. There are four levels of Fundraising.
Bronze level; 36-50$ Commitment.
Silver level commitment. 180-250. Get a personalized thank you plaque.
Gold level commitment. 1000-1800. Get the plaque and post race
breakfast/concert with mbd.
Platinum level. 5000-10,000. Get all of gold plus a tour of the
devastation and personal brocho from the dayin meisels.
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I already sent this out to some of you that live in the immediate area. I am now sending it to my entire list so that they share in carrying the burden of their fellow Jew.
An Open Letter To Mayor Bloomberg
Dear Mayor Bloomberg,
It is 5:00 PM, Sunday afternoon. A week after you told us to evacuate Far Rockaway.
Ah yes, remember us?
We are the forgotten people of Far Rockaway. It seems that we have been completely and utterly forgotten. We heard with sadness that you told us that, in reality, the issues we are facing are, "not that big a deal."
No, we guess that they really are not that big a deal to you. But to us, they are a great big deal, and they are getting progressively worse by the day. Make that by the hour.
We have no heat. No place to go. There is debris all over our homes and all over our streets. And there is no sign of city help. Not a wisp.
The lack of heat has made me, my wife, and my nine children at home sick. Some have colds. Some have sore throats. Three of us have bronchitis now.
Nor has Far Rockaway come up in the papers, unless, of course, it is that quote of yours to – "bundle up – it's not that cold."
I do not know what liquid it is that runs through your veins, but we have been bundling up.
And it is quite cold. Tonight it will be 29 degrees. Last night it was 31 degrees. These little numbers matter, because my little girl complains a bit more – the colder it gets.
We have no electricity, and neither you, nor LIPA, nor any city agency, have even bothered to communicate with us as to how long things will take to repair.
You have this 311 number for tenants to complain about landlords that don't give enough heat, but when the matter lies with you, you say, "bundle up."
We have no phone service. No cell service. No internet service. And no mail service.
We have run out of money. I was expecting some money in the mail. But there is no mail. When there is no mail, there is no money.
I ran into the secretary from one of the places where I do some work. She cannot issue a payroll anymore, because all the accounts receivable moneys are in the mail. And so, I cannot get a check from the office either.
We have devastation all around us. Those in their homes have taken out the wet, moldy items in their basements and first floors and left them on the streets. It looks like a garage sale. Thousands of garage sales.
We have run out of clothing. We have no way to do our laundry. Well, actually we did laundry once, when we had gasoline in the car. But now there is no gasoline. Some people in the neighborhood have gone away for the weekend. Some decided to take just one car. When you leave here, there is a chance that your house will be robbed and that whatever gas you had in the car will be siphoned out.
The police are nowhere to be found. There are no patrols here. They are apparently on emergency services only. And there have been robberies. My friend's son received a gift recently for his birthday. An XBox. It was stolen. They need a window repair person, but that is hard to come by. They taped it up with a cardboard box. Another friend was broken into and his wife's home business is now no longer operational because of what was stolen.
We have all sorts of visitors in our neighborhood, looking to see who has left. Some people are leaving candles all over their houses so that the premises will look occupied.
Mayor Bloomberg, where are you? Why are you not arranging to pump gasoline from tanker trucks with police around? Why are you not telling us when we will have power? An industrious mayor like you should have had such a website put up already – with dates as to when the power will be back on.
Why have you not made laundry centers? Why are there no buses in Far Rockaway to take people to laundry, food and other such things?
Mayor Bloomberg, why have you not assisted the cell phone people in allowing us here to communicate to the outside world? Why have you not arranged for generators for them?
And why have you not helped the mail come out? I could use some of that money now, that lies hidden in a pile, who knows where.
Mayor Bloomberg, we just read that you have given twenty million of your own dollars to promote gay marriage in other cities. That is very nice, but what about food and heat for the citizens of your own city?
Why have you allowed once proud self-sufficient families, to be left with nothing?
I ran out of my diabetes medicine, and the pharmacy that holds my prescription is closed. I guess I can get by without my medicine, it is only diabetes. And maybe that explains my anger at you now. Since I can't get my diabetes medicine I am shouting louder than others who do not share my illness.
Dear Mayor, how can you sleep at night, knowing that so many of your citizens are freezing, are sick, because of your lack of empathy and action?
I must say, I regret the day that I voted for you. I feel stabbed in the back. I remember reading about something in California called a recall election. I would like to do that here. But I guess you are lucky, because I have no internet access.
But I cannot do this, because right now, my family is my first priority. I cannot work on recalling you because I need to make sure that my kids don't get sicker. I need to worry about disease from no laundry, from no food. I need to worry now, for the first time, about literally putting bread on the table.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, "No, I am not a democrat. I am voting for Mitt Romney. But for the next New York City Mayor? Anyone but you. And if there is a recall election, I would whole-heartedly participate.
But you should know, that if I had the power, I would shout from the rooftops that we need to recall you. You have failed us. Utterly and completely. Just as you have utterly and completely forgotten about us.
It was painful to read this letter. A lot is being done by organizations but this hurricane has been a magnitude that requires tremendous mobilization and calls of Horaat Shaah..It seems to me that we can not rely on others but must act as we have in the past for other worthy campaigns and that every shul should have a contact person just like a Bonei Olam Dinner or Siym Hashas or Ichus HaKehillos to help mobilize the people to help in the relief efforts.. .Maybe Yeshivot should consider sending in the yeshiva boys learning in Beit Medrash for relief efforts for the emergency. for this critical time.
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Robin's comments
- Please send me updates from your communities that need help and iyh I will try to post it. My guess is that this particular post is only a small fraction of calls for help that are out there.
- We need Gedoilim to mobilize all the communities including those not hit hard and to establish a Command Center over all the affected areas. This way all relief efforts will go through Triage in a Mesudar way. Israeli organizations like Zaka has experience with dealing with disasters. All major Jewish Organization should coordinate and send out periodic updates to their members. Every shul should designate a representative or committee if necessary to help be a liason with the Command Center.
- We need Gedoilim to convey the urgency for everyone to participate.
- Everyone, including communities not affected should be expected to volunteer a portion of their time towards relief efforts. This includes all able men and women, Beit Medrash guys and Seminary girls and even teenagers and children in a Mesudar way. People should be willing to take off time from work or Yeshiva to put in their shift if necessary.
- Providing basic necessities such as Food, Shelter, Clothes, money, requires enormous manpower to be effective for this magnitude of devastation. We can not ignore the plight of our brethren even when we are not directly affected. MBD video helps to get that point across as well as letter to Mayor Bloomberg. See above.
- People should not have to fear looting from uninhabitable homes. We must make sure that there is adequate Police patrol protecting the streets and property and if this is not forthcoming we need to recruit volunteers to Shomrim to do the job. People whose homes are inhabitable must be able to go on with their lives without worrying constantly that more of their possessions would be stolen.
- Clean up is an enormous job requiring massive manpower.
- applying for compensation and reporting losses and helping those that apply navigate the bureaucratic nightmare is a chesed unto itself.
- Providing relief for those in desperate straits so that they can retain their dignity is the highest form of chesed we can do
- A computerized bulletin board similar to the one created during the Lebanon War in Israel where individuals and organizations could post their requests or services would be extremely helpful
These are my suggestions. I am sure others as well have valuable input.
-- Sincerely,
Robin Ticker posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com
