Whew! What a week it has been. Between the storm and the horrible devastation it has caused on the east coast, no school, no gas, people not being able to work because of no power, nor being able to travel to work because of flooding, most New Yorkers and New Jersey residents are a bit broken this week. Our hearts and prayers go out to them.
My family was very lucky not to have been severely impacted by the storm. There were tons of down trees and power lines in our area, but we remained unscathed. Thankfully. The boys spent a lot of time drawing and reading.
I, on the other hand, watched all of the storm coverage on television. It is astonishing how many have lost their lives and homes due to this very powerful storm. If you're able to, here are 4 ways to Stand Up to Sandy:
1. Donate/Volunteer: I've already shared this link on Facebook to New York Cares. They have projects organized for clean up and they need volunteers. You can also donate to the Red Cross by visiting their website or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
2. Get Out: I am a big believer in just getting out there and doing something. That way you know where your resources are going. On television this morning I saw a Queens family go to Long Island with Dunkin Donuts, water and toilet paper. I was moved. The residents were thankful.
3. Clear the Closet: One of the big issues, especially if power and heat is not restored soon, is the cold weather. Get into your closets and pull out old sweaters, long-sleeved tops etc. to donate to the Salvation Army or Red Cross. Children are especially vulnerable, so go through your kids closets too. Also, gently used toys are also great to donate for the little ones since some have lost all of their belongings.
4. Ask: Ask around and find out if co-workers, relatives and/or friends need a place to stay, charge their cell phones or just take a shower. It might seem small or insignificant, but if you haven't had a hot shower or a warm bed for a few days, it could mean the world to someone.
Here are some images I've taken, and a few from around the web. Are you in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut? Did the storm affect you?
