Sandy Sucks

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012

1. Head to Coney Island (via everywhere)

If you’ve been to Coney Island and looked beyond Luna Park you’ve no doubt noticed that high rises dominate the landscape. Those building blocks are full of elderly and disabled residents who need your help. An Occupy Sandy volunteer is predicting a humanitarian crisis could consume the area, and frankly I don’t think he’s wrong.

* There are several daily volunteer opportunities, no RSVP required (via LolaStar): 

FEMA DISTRIBUTION SITE The Shrine Church of Our Lady Of Solace at 2866 West 17th St

NATIONAL GUARD DISTRIBUTION SITE at West 25th Street and Surf Ave

CONEY ISLAND GENERATION GAP largely for Seniors & families 2904 Neptune Ave

* And contact COJECO for volunteer opportunities in the area. From the site: In an effort to coordinate all volunteer groups efficiently, we ask that if you have people coming out to help, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Eugene Klig at cojeco.volunteers@gmail.com or 917-744-2600. He will continue to have updated information on where volunteer groups are operating, so that we’re not doubling up on our efforts and assisting the community effectively. This includes Occupy Sandy, UJA agencies, synagogues, grassroot groups, etc.

• Connect with organizers and volunteers on the Facebook event page.
• Follow us on Twitter.

Or donate to a Coney Island center. Via saveconeyisland
* The FEMA donation site is looking for nonperishable goods, individually wrapped sandwiches, toilet paper, baby formula, diapers, blankets, outerwear and baby clothes. Drop items off at:
The Shrine Church of Our Lady Of Solace
2866 West 17th Street, between Mermaid & Neptune
Brooklyn, New York 11224

* Pamela Harris, Executive Director of Coney Island Generation Gap, is also accepting donations for seniors and families: canned goods, water, hot foods, socks, gloves, scarfs, hats, sweaters, hoodies, rubber boots, blankets, toilet paper.  If you can bring any of these items, or if you can volunteer your time, call her at 917-592-2719 or email her at kimosobbe@optonline.net . You can also mail donations to Coney Island Generation Gap, 2904 Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224

* Coney Island USA took a major hit from the storm. They could use the following to assist the cleanup of their flooded ground floor at 1208 Surf Ave: daily food for workers, coffee, dehumidifiers, space heaters, fans, squeegees, mops, mop buckets, protective clothing such as hazmat suits, household heavy duty rubber gloves, N95 disposable respirators, paper towels, cleaning cloths, brooms, Lysol concentrated cleaner, disinfectant, first aid kits, Neospirin and hand sanitizer. They will accept them from noon – 6pm, seven days a week. Bring or ship to Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Ave. Brooklyn NY 11224. They are also seeking volunteers with water-hardy clothing and footwear to clean and move objects– email them at ciusacleanup@gmail.com or check their site for updates or to make a monetary donation:

2. Foster an animal (via Brokelyn)

Hundreds of animals have been displaced by the hurricane and need permanent or temporary home. From Brokelyn: “You can post availability to host on the Sandy Pets Facebook page and find places that are seeking volunteers at shelters. There is also a group dedicated to helping owners reunite with pets lost during the storm. Adopt NY has information on how to further assist local rescue groups and where to drop off donations. For more ways to help furry friends, email hurricane@AnimalAllianceNYC.org.”

3. Enjoy yourself and support hurricane relief

* This Wednesday at Union Pool FROM BROOKLYN, WITH LOVE (Via Brooklyn Brewery) “A Benefit Mixer for Hurricane Sandy Relief Projects” focused on educating the public on relief efforts and giving volunteers a chance to relax, socialize and and discuss what’s been done and what needs to be done. $15 donation includes a drink from sponsors, including Brooklyn Brewery, and snacks from El Diablo Tacos. All proceeds go to the World Cares Center. More info here. (And come by and say hi. I should be there around 9)

Wednesday, November 14th @ 8pm

Union Pool

484 Union Ave. @ Meeker Ave.

Brooklyn, NY

* See Dan Deacon play Music Hall of Williamsburg (via BrooklynVegan)

The proceeds from his shows this Wednesday and Friday will be donated to Sandy relief. He writes:

“Having grown up on Long Island, so much of my family and many of my close friends live in New York and New Jersey. I don’t feel right to going there, playing these shows and not pitching in to help out with the recovery so I’m going to donate my fee for these two shows to the Red Cross and Occupy Sandy.

“I chose these two organizations because they both cover the entire affected region and are both helping in very different capacities. I thought it would be best to inform my fans so that if they were also feeling conflicted about raging and partying while all this shit is so fucked, that at least they would know that their ticket was going to help aid in the recovery.”

11/14 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg and 11/16 at the Bowery Ballroom.

4. ALL WEEK: Flex some political muscle.

The House is scheduled to vote on HR 2606 this week. This bill authorizes the construction of the Rockaway pipeline — in the exact area that has just been devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Read more here. If this sounds crazy to you, get ready to call and tell your congressperson to vote NO on HR 2606. More info is here.  Find your congressperson here.