Update #11
Thursday, November 8, 2012
9:00am
Good morning -
The northeaster (Athena) that hit our area last night produced snow and cold throughout our region. Temperatures early this morning in Rockland County were 34 degrees; 32 in New York City. As of 9:00 last night there were three inches of snow in Staten Island. Trees are down again in our region, due to winds and snow on branches. Please use caution as you travel, as some roads are likely to be slick; remember too, that more branches or trees may fall without warning.
I don't yet know how many counties lost power or in what areas. Because of the danger from prolonged exposure to the cold and uncertainty about power, I am attaching the contact information for each county within the Diocese's Emergency Management Office in alphabetical order by county. I am attaching this so that you have information on what's going on in your county, and so that you know who to call, beyond your local fire and police departments, if you encounter extreme conditions that warrant their intervention.
The Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island are included under "NYC", and includes the web pages for locations of shelters, warming centers, food, water, and blankets. As these will be updated during the day, please check that you are looking at the most current webpages.
Of particular concern are those who spent the night without heat. I am told that these numbers are in the thousands across our area, either because their homes have been destroyed or power has not yet been restored.
Please make every effort to provide a warm place for your neighbors and your community. If there is a need and if you can, please coordinate with your local community authorities to see if you can help by keeping your church and parish hall open tonight, as the night's temperatures will be back in the thirties.
Update: As described above. The most urgent need for today is warmth.
Effects of Athena: As before, notify Michael Rebic of any damage to Church property and follow the directions on the Diocesan website for notifying the Church Insurance. I would like to know whether last night's storm has made any part of the Diocese worse. The most efficient way to do this is for the Deans to call the parishes in their Deanery to get an update and then report the conditions to their area coordinator:
Mid-Hudson: Val Stelcen 845 338-1086
Region II: Alon White, 845- 358-1297 (note corrected office number)
NYC: Stephen Harding 917 301-0267.
You can also use the Needs Request form on the Diocesan website to report damage or a change in conditions.
Episcopal Charities Sandy Relief Fund:The Board of Episcopal Charities has approved an initial $50,000 to make grants to outreach programs in the Diocese of New York for Sandy-related costs.
This funding is for established outreach programs of parishes within the Diocese of New York (whether or not they are currently funded by Episcopal Charities), and grants will cover any storm-related losses for outreach programs, as well as any increased demand for services that may be attributed to the effects of the storm (including, but not limited to, extra food costs, costs for supplies to be given away, etc.). An expedited funding process will assure that applications will be processed quickly (within a week of receipt). Funding for start-up or emergency programs may be fundable through Episcopal Relief and Development.
To apply for a grant, programs should contact Episcopal Charities' Director of Programs, The Rev. Sam Smith at 212-316-7426 or ssmith@dioceseny.org.
Self-care: You cannot help others well if you are sleep deprived, not eating nutritiously, or running on adrenaline and coffee for most of the day. Pace yourselves. Eat. Drink water. Spend time with your family and friends as well.
Food Collection this Sunday, Nov. 11: We are again asking every parish in the Diocese to conduct a food drive this Sunday for those affected by these two storms. We are improving the logistics of getting it where it is needed - stay tuned.
Our neighbors: We continue to pray for our neighbors in Long Island and New Jersey.
NYC resources to help others: visit http://www.nycservice.org/ for NYC Volunteering Opportunities; there are plenty of volunteering opportunities on our EDNY Volunteer Opportunities Facebook page as well.
You are doing this well. This is tough, but through you, we are continuing to serve our communities and those affected by these two storms. Reach out to your neighbors of different faiths and see what you can do together. Hang in there, and
God bless you.
Stephen+
