Hope for Hurricane Sandy Victims: The Need Continues

It may have been three months since Hurricane Sandy ravaged New York and New Jersey but the need for help continues.  I took my first trip to New York City last summer and I fell in love with it.  It breaks my heart to think of any part of the city being destroyed by the hurricane; but even more, it breaks my heart to think of people…of families who have lost their homes and their livelihoods throughout New York and New Jersey because of the storm. 

One of the areas still struggling to make repairs is the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan – my favourite part of the city!  According to an article in the New York Times, the retail area of Pier 17 and the South Street Seaport Museum are fully functional again but the rest of the area are shuttered.  Apartments remain uninhabitable as the electrical systems and boilers continue to be in disrepair, the South Ferry subway station was so badly damaged that it has been “closed indefinitely”, and many businesses still don’t have phone service or the ability to process credit cards. 

On Staten Island, around 300 buildings still have no power or heat.  Another 200 can’t be lived in because they were either completely destroyed or are deemed structurally unsound.   “There’s one little old lady who’s living in mold and won’t come out and has a sign on her door that says, ‘I’m O.K.,’ ” Ms. Troia said. “That person’s a cause for concern.”  (from New York Times) 

Others, in New York Public Housing, report continued problems of no heat, no running water, no electricity, no elevators, mold, and backed up toilets.  There are elderly residents trapped on upper floors, relying on others to bring them food and water.  Complaints of invasions of water bugs, cockroaches, and mice abound. 

The stories of devastation go on and on.  As I sit in my comfortable house with a full belly of food, my dog curled up on my lap, watching TV and hanging out on the internet, I don’t think I can even come close to imagining what the victims of Hurricane Sandy have been through – what some continue to go through.  I remember that big blackout of a few years back and going without power or air conditioning for 48 hours – I thought that was unbearable and yet, it’s nothing to compare with what many Hurricane Sandy victims are still enduring, three months later. 

We can help them.  You and I.  A group of artists gathered together to create Hope for Hurricane Sandy – the beautiful piece of art pictured above.  We’re selling prints of this stunning work and the money goes to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Won’t you buy a print and help us to help them?  They still need us. 

UPDATE:  We have donated $389.55 from the sales of the “Hope for Hurricane Sandy” print to Occupy Sandy Recovery.  I urge you to visit their website for more information about the great need for continued help in the relief effort.  http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/

Cyn