Real Estate Blog

With the devastation that Hurricane Sandy left in its wake, it’s hard to imagine life getting back to normal in many parts of Staten Island and along the Eastern Seaboard. There is a lot of work to be done and many needs to be met, and community leaders have responded by putting together food and clothing drives and organizing work parties. 

There are also multiple relief organizations setting up operations on Staten Island including FEMA, the Red Cross and the National Guard. So if you’re looking for a way to help, here is some information about the various drives and relief activities planned for the weekend.

Food and Clothing Drives

State Senator Andrew Lanza is collecting donations of clothes, water, non-perishable food and other personal items at his office at 3845 Richmond Avenue in Eltingville until 5pm Friday, 11/2 and from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, 11/3. His office is on the second floor of the building, which is located next to the Eltingville train station. 

Suggestions for what to donate include:

• Water - 1 liter or smaller bottles for easier transport.
• Food – Dry & Canned, pop top preferred that is easy to prepare with or without heat.
• Matches 
• Powdered Milk, Baby Formula and bottles
• Pet supplies and food
• First Aid Kits & supplies 
• Flashlights and batteries
• Paper Cups, Napkins, and plastic utensils
• Non-Electric cans opener and Utility Knifes
• Duct Tape
• Plastic zip lock bags
• Personal Care items such as soap, toilet paper, wipes, garbage bags, disinfectant and bleach
• Plastic Tarps
• Portable Generators
• Clothes, especially baby and children
• Blankets and sleeping bags
• Coats and sweaters
• Brooms, mops, garbage bags, plastic gloves and other cleaning supplies

Chabad Lubavitch of Staten Island is also holding a food and clothing drive from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday, 11/4. They are located at 289 Harold Street in Willowbrook. 

State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, in conjunction with the Staten Island Advance, is working to collect and distribute goods to people in need throughout the borough. Donations can be dropped off at Rab’s Country Lanes, 1600 Hylan Boulevard. 

Arena Restaurant, located at 4916 Arthur Kill Road in Charleston is accepting food, clothes, blankest, bottled water and diapers and distributing them to area residents in need. The restaurant is also providing free ice for coolers and free hot soup and food, and there is a re-charge station so residents without power can recharge cell phones and other electronic devices.

Volunteer Cleanup Projects

Assemblywoman Malliotakis is also organizing a volunteer cleanup of South Shore neighborhoods on Saturday, 11/3. Anyone who wishes to participate should meet at the end of New Dorp Lane and Cedar Grove Avenue at 9am and bring any garbage bags, rakes, shovels, brooms or other appropriate tools they have. Work gloves are also recommended, and donations of these items as well as clothing and food will be accepted at Monsignor Farrell High School in Oakwood. 

For more information about this project or other ways to help Staten Island residents in need, send an email to nyassembly60@gmail.com.

Give Blood

Blood is also in short supply following the storm, and on Staten Island you can give blood at the Pergament Mall Donor Center located at 2791 Richmond Avenue above the Verizon store. Call (800) 933-2566 for hours and additional information.

Monetary Donations

If you’d like to make a monetary donation, you can do so through the Red Cross or the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. There is also a special fund to provide aid to residents of Staten Island and New Jersey through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. To donate, send a check payable to T2T Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund to: T2T Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island NY, 10306. Or you can donate online at TunnelToTowersFoundation.org.