10.31.2012

HOW TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY


The Red Cross
All donations to the Red Cross provide food, shelter, and other assistance to those affected by Sandy. Visit www.redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS to help. Text "Redcross" to 90999 to give $10. During Sandy's assault, 100 Red Cross blood-donation events in the affected regions were canceled, so blood supply is low. To schedule an appointment to give blood, call The New York Blood Center at 800-933-2566 or visitwww.nybloodcenter.org.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has set up feeding units and shelters across the disaster zone. To assist their efforts in providing clothing, food, and beds to the displaced, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org. You can also donate $10 to the Salvation Army by texting "STORM" to 80888
NYCService
In New York City, where some 750,000 residents are without electricity, concerned citizens can email nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov — giving their name, email address, and borough — to get information about ways they can be of assistance.
New Jersey relief
The gambling mecca of Atlantic City and much of New Jersey's popular shoreline have been severely damaged. Volunteers are being coordinated through an emergency response hotline, 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397). Alternate numbers, should you have trouble getting through, are 609-775-5236 and 908-303-0471.
International relief
Operation USA (www.opusa.org) and International Medical Corps (internationalmedicalcorps.org) are focusing their relief efforts on victims of Hurricane Sandy in Haiti and Cuba, where 69 people were killed when the storm passed there last week. Visit their websites to donate. Operation USA is also accepting text donations. Text "AID" to 50555 to donate $10.