After a brief halt to recovery efforts earlier this week, volunteer and donation operations are in full swing for the second weekend since Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast. Throughout New York and New Jersey, hundreds of volunteers have spent countless hours helping clean up towns, feeding homebound seniors and putting neighborhoods back in order.
For those looking to help out this weekend, Latinos Post rounds up the latest volunteer and donation opportunities. As always, we encourage our readers to make monetary donations to the American Red Cross, which is helping victims of Hurricane Sandy throughout the East Coast. To donate, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-733-2767, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 contribution.
The American Red Cross is also accepting blood donations to replace donations lost in the storm. To schedule a blood donation appointment, be sure to visit the American Red Cross' website or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
New York City | Brooklyn |Staten Island | Long Island
NYC Service has a complete list of organizations that are accepting monetary, food and clothes and goods donations. Some organizations taking food donations include: City Harvest, Food Bank and Met Council. For more information, head over to NYC Service.
In Park Slope, the Armory Shelter is looking for volunteers to fill in key spots this weekend. To register, head over to the online sign-up sheet. The Congregation Beth Elohim is also looking for additional volunteers. Volunteers can sign up here.
In Staten Island, volunteers are needed for a "mega cleanup." Volunteers are asked to head to 780 Olympia Blvd. between 9 a.m. ET and 7 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday to help in removing rubbish and demolition, cleanup and information gathering. More information can be found at Staten Island Recovers.
On Long Island, volunteers can sign up with Long Island Volunteer Center, which places volunteers where they are needed the most. Volunteers are asked to register online to receive information about the latest volunteer opportunities.
For additional volunteer and donation opportunities in the New York area, visit Occupy Sandy and Occupy Judaism or follow @sandyvolunteer on Twitter.
New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has set up an emergency volunteer hotline at 1-800-537-7397 or 609-775-5236. For more information about volunteering opportunities in New Jersey, head over to Occupy Sandy NJ.
In Union Beach, White Company Fire House is taking clothes donations. Donations can be dropped off at Union Beach Fire House, located at 1110 Union Ave. For more information on Hurricane Sandy Recovery Assistance in Union Beach, visit the town's official website.
In South River, the South River Food Bank desperately needs food and monetary donations. The food bank, which was destroyed by Sandy is being temporarily housed at 9 Jeffrie Ave. People hoping to donate food or picking up food can do so on Saturday from 10 a.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET. For more information, call Debbie Jones at 732-257-1999 ext. 118.
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If you know of any volunteer opportunities or drop off locations in New York or New Jersey, please email n.rojas@latinospost.com.