Group Comes Together to Organize Coordinated Relief Effort

I don't know about you, but ever since I got cable back on Wednesday, I've been glued to the TV and internet. As we all know, the devastation from Sandy is horrific - and it's right in our back yard. Yes, we have lost on the East End - there has been damage, and we are mourning the loss of a wonderful mom and woman - but dare I say that we are some of the lucky ones.

Like many of us, I've helped - I've donated funds and blankets and clothes, but it just doesn't seem enough. I've wanted to do more, but just didn't know where to start. Today, I had to opportunity to join with some amazing women in our community who are working to coordinate East End relief efforts. First on their plate was to create a Facebook Group - East End Cares - where everyone can get up to date information on how they can help. Within an hour, the group had over 400 members, and membership is climbing by the minute. Please join and find out how you can get involved.

This group of women knows how to get things done. Jobs were assigned, needs were categorized, and right away things began to happen. The focus is coordination with local groups (the Town of East Hampton, the local Fire Departments, ....) and those on the ground in the communities that need help.

Their areas of focus are as follows:

Volunteer Coordination - Mary Jo Walker is compiling a list of all who are willing to volunteer, whether it be sorting through donations and preparing for delivery or joining a clean-up crew.

Food Delivery - People in hard-hit areas are starving. We are working to set up a delivery of prepared food to those in need.

Clean-Up Crew Transportation - contact is being made with bus companies to transport a clean-up crew to the Rockaways some time this week.

Monetary Donations - We'll be putting buckets at Montauk businesses over the next couple of days to collect money to be used for the basics - underwear, socks, school supplies for kids who have lost everything. We're also working to set up an online portal to collect donations.

Item Donations - Donations can be brought to the Montauk Community Church and Town Hall in East Hampton. Please note that word is coming out of some communities that they no longer need clothes. Most needed at this time are cleaning supplies, shovels, boots, toiletries, child and adult diapers, flashlights, batteries, insulin. Needs are changing by the hour - check the East End Cares page for updates.

Sandy spared us. Let us help those who weren't as lucky.