Update
From the Rev. Stephen Harding
Diocesan Response Coordinator
Monday, November 5, 2012
9:00am
Good Morning -
We seem to have moved into a new stage in the disaster lifecycle from immediate aftermath to recovery. The Mid-Hudson area, Manhattan, and the Bronx are all in the recovery stages (essential services restored, life beginning to return to pre-disaster levels). Staten Island and parts of Region II, however, are still dealing with the immediate aftermath of no power, no gasoline (throughout the region), and cold beginning to move in.
This variation in stage of disaster in different parts of the Diocese will affect the needs for Volunteers (see below) and where we want to concentrate our resources to meet the immediate need.
Based on these regional differences, the focus for this week will be on Staten Island and Region II.
Update:
Staten Island continues to address the needs caused by devastation and loss of life. Food and resources are now flowing to them. Region II: power is still out in Rockland and in northern Westchester: Deacon George Diaz reports that there were still live wires on the ground and numerous trees down when he was there yesterday. Mamaroneck, Larchmont, and Harrison have had power restored and had minimal flooding. Please contact the Rev'd Alon White, Region II Coordinator at 914 525-5924 or therevalon@gmail.com or me if there is something that you need and to provide a situation update for your parish.
Food Collection: Today's food collection was extraordinarily successful -thank you for your generosity and for your part in collecting it. Donated items will be picked up from your sites later this week. Please email Stephen harding at sharding@mindspring.com with the subject line "EDNY Food Collection" to get on the list for pick up.
Volunteers: the outpouring of support through our website has resulted in 65 persons wanting to help. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered. Because the nature of Volunteer Opportunities is changing and because we have so many people who want to help, I have asked Ms. Kari Morris to coordinate the Volunteers and the Volunteer Opportunities. She can be reached directly at ednyvolunteers@gmail.com. Please direct all future requests for Volunteers or Volunteer Opportunities to her through the above email address.
Facebook Page: Additionally, we have set up a Facebook page, EDNY Volunteer Opportunities, as a public forum for people who need Volunteers and for Volunteers to sign up for specific tasks. Please visit this page and "like" it if you do. Anyone can post on this page: people who need Volunteers, please include your town, the location, date, time, and what you need help with. Volunteers, please comment on the post to let others know that you are going to help.
We believe that this is a more effective and geographically specific way to match Volunteers with where they are needed.
Finally, we would like to be aware of Volunteer Opportunities beyond the Diocese and are providing the link http://www.nycservice.org/ to New York City's Volunteer Service Site. Thank you, Ms. Morris, for taking this on!
FEMA & American Red Cross are now in the area. Members of your congregations may need help in registering for the assistance these organizations can provide. Attached is the link to more information on FEMA. Please support them (and use them) if they are in your area.
http://www.er-d.org/userfiles/Post%20-%20FACT%20FedDisasterDeclaration.pdf
Many thanks to all of you for your help, continuing good will and willingness to support others as we continue to go forward.
God bless you all,
Stephen+
