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发帖数: 9485 | 1 Mormon Volunteers Outperform Government in New England Sandy Aid
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/11/05/Mormon-Helpi
Many who are still without heat, water, and power following Hurricane Sandy,
are looking to the federal government to provide the kind of organized and
effective disaster relief that can restore their lives. Can private groups
and citizens offer what is needed in this time of crisis?
In Milford, Connecticut, for example, where entire expanses of beach homes
have been destroyed by the storm, one family member reports to us that FEMA
and the Red Cross were nowhere to be seen. What she did see, however, were
“dozens of people in yellow vests helping to gather up all the debris that
residents were putting out in the road.” Our observer tells us that these
individuals assisted homeowners in clean-up, helping to load town trucks to
remove destroyed decks, furniture, siding, and other debris.
Recalling that she saw the same group of people “in yellow vests” helping
out after Hurricane Irene last year, she later discovered that the helpers
were Mormon Helping Hands volunteers.
The Mormon volunteers consisted of both adults and older children. Our
observer tells us that what she noticed about this group is that they were
“friendly, very busy, and, yet, unobtrusive.” She comments, “They didn’t
get in the way of us getting our cleanup done, but they really helped the
overall effort of getting the streets cleaned up.”
"If anyone wonders how people will survive without big government, they need
look no further than our beach in Milford. The residents put their heads
down and worked, and the Mormon Helping Hands volunteers chipped in big time
,” she states.
Let’s thank and give credit due to all private individuals, church, and
community groups that are helping those in need in practical, labor-
intensive ways. This is the idea that is America in action. | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 2 New Round of Mormon Helping Hands Sandy Cleanup Projects Scheduled
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/new-round-of-cleanup-proj
New York
Missionaries and Church members in New York have been out in force since the
storm subsided, providing assistance in all five New York City boroughs and
beyond. In the first five days following the storm, more than 3,800
volunteers worked over 37,500 hours.
On Long Island, Church members have been organizing crews to look for
neighborhood homes with fallen trees and help to clear them out. They have
also delivered fliers to neighbors. “We want them to know we are willing
and able to help,” said Mark Hardman, a local leader in the area.
On Saturday and Sunday, 200 missionaries and 300 Church members worked to
clear debris from some of the thousands of flooded homes in the five
boroughs. New York New York South Mission President Kevin Calderwood said
debris was stacked 10 feet high on some streets, and missionaries helped
sanitation workers load trucks where they could.
Rockaway, an area home to many first responders, was particularly hard-hit.
About 450 volunteers worked to clear debris in that area, and they plan to
focus future efforts on 105 homes of first responders.
This weekend, 1,000 missionaries and members will continue work in Rockaway
and Long Beach to muck out basements full of dirt and debris, remove water-
damaged sheetrock, and spray bleach to prevent mold. Church volunteers will
be bused in from Boston, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania to help.
Church volunteers have been working closely with the American Red Cross to
assist in shelters. “The Red Cross calls us pretty readily; we’re at their
beck and call, whenever we can help,” Hardman said. Members have been
helping with both the set-up and running of shelters, as well as
contributing supplies when needed.
In Brooklyn, members have gathered 500 cleanup kits for residents to use
once larger projects are completed. The kits consist of bleach, garbage bags
, goggles, brushes and other similar items. | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 3 Missionaries, Church members and Catholic Charities volunteers in the area
worked to get a Catholic church in Red Hook back up and running this past
weekend. Local leader Jeff Nelson was amazed to see how quickly the Red Hook
church became a community outreach center for the area once again. “The
place was just hopping,” Nelson said. “It became a center to provide for
the needs of that area. Our work with Catholic Charities has an exponential
effect.”
Hundreds of Church members will head to Staten Island, Coney Island and Red
Hook to continue cleanup efforts this weekend. Local leader David Glick said
that so far, members and missionaries had cleaned up more than 60 homes on
Staten Island.
The Church also provided six trucks of winter clothing from drives conducted
over the past weekend to residents in the area. Items were distributed to
500 children near a local elementary school that was so damaged by the storm
it will likely be demolished.
Hardman said neighbors on Long Island have been thankful for the assistance.
“Those we’ve helped have been very grateful and amazed that people would
be willing to come out and do so much,” he said.
Volunteers wearing yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests and shirts have been
dubbed by some community members they have helped as “the Little Yellow
Army of Happiness.” | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 4 New Jersey
Near Paterson, 50 missionaries and 150 Church members have been assisting
residents of a local mobile home park that sustained severe damage from the
storm. Nearly all of the 270 homes were affected. Local leader Jeff Mathusek
said the yellow shirts and vests worn by Mormon volunteers have become well
-known in the area. “They say 'We want the people in yellow back,’”
Mathusek said. “Everybody is very grateful.”
About 200 volunteers from the Paterson and Caldwell areas will partner with
a Catholic group this weekend to clean out basements, removing damaged
furniture, carpet and other items, as well as do general cleanup in the area
. | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 5 Pennsylvania
The Church has been working closely with other organizations to help
residents in Bucks County. The American Red Cross coordinated efforts by
volunteers from the Church, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, the Southeast PA
chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Palisades
School District, Philabundance, the Nockamixon Township, and others to
contribute food and thousands of man-hours to help people displaced by the
storm.
“It is truly a coordinated effort and one of the best I’ve seen in over a
decade of volunteer work with the Red Cross,” said Shelli Dunn, an American
Red Cross shelter manager. “I’ve worked many emergencies from Katrina to
Irene, and it’s always incredible to see how communities come together to
provide for others.”
Last Tuesday after the storm, the shelter provided meals and showers to 311
individuals. That number grew to well over 1,000 per day by Sunday.
“Everyone is so nice,” said Nikki Hann, a shelter resident. “I’ve lived
here for 20 years and have never seen so much devastation. At the same time,
this shelter has been one of the greatest places I’ve ever been, and even
the school kids have been helping since they’ve been out.”
Mormon volunteer Leisha Atkinson helped serve food at the shelter on Sunday
and said she was touched by the strength of the community. “I particularly
enjoyed hearing everyone's stories that showed their determination and
resilience,” Atkinson said. “Each of us has our own jobs, family situation
, political views and opinions, yet when it comes time to pitch in and help,
people gladly do so.”
The shelter remains open as long as so many are out of power and water.
On Saturday, missionaries from the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Mission and
members from the Church’s Reading, Philadelphia and Valley Forge Stakes
spent over 450 hours combined helping neighbors remove trees felled by the
storm. | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 6 Maryland
The Church’s Baltimore Maryland Stake collected clothes, coats, shoes and
blankets for victims of Sandy in New Jersey and New York. Local leader Craig
Halsey asked members to bring items to church on Sunday, 4 November and to
enlist neighbors and friends to do the same. The group collected over 400
boxes of clothing and enlisted 250 volunteers. The winter clothing was
delivered to victims the following Tuesday.
Church volunteer April Robinson worked to help sort clothes this weekend. “
I'm amazed at the amount that came together in such a short time, and I’m
humbled by the feeling of giving service,” she said. “On Friday I was at
the temple, and I asked for opportunities to serve. I am grateful that I had
this opportunity today.”
One neighborhood resident heard about the drive and decided to add a
surprise to the items she donated: She put a $5 bill in the pocket of every
winter clothing item.
Church member Tiffany Rueckert, in the Jones Falls area, said her neighbors
have been very willing to contribute to relief efforts. “Our family walked
around Sunday afternoon with our three small boys and put fliers on the
doors of our neighbors,” she said. “Within half an hour of being home, I
received an email from a neighbor saying that the Fallston Rec Football
League would like to donate all of their leftover water and Powerade from
this year's season. Cases and cases were piled into the back of my van on
Monday morning by a young teenage football player and his two younger
sisters.”
Rueckert said seeing the generosity around her has been moving. “I have a
great testimony of the power and greatness of people,” she said. “People
are good.” | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 7 D.C. Metro Area
Church members near Washington, D.C., are also organizing a winter clothing
and supply drive. The effort currently includes members and their neighbors
in Annandale, Ashburn, McLean, Mount Vernon and Oakton, Virginia; Suitland
and Seneca, Maryland; and Washington, D.C.
Volunteer Trina Neel said the whole community is eager to join in to help
hurricane victims. “Once we put the word out, the enthusiasm went
everywhere,” Neel said. “People were so happy to help. In church, I could
feel the growing momentum. I feel like it's Christmas Eve and I can't wait
to see what tomorrow brings.”
Ken and Patty Lee, in Oakton, Virginia, arrived to pick up some donations
from a friend who had sent out word to her neighbors about the need for
coats. They came home with 350 coats.
Jane Auker, who lives in the neighboring town, came by with her van
completely stuffed with donations from her neighborhood. Jane grew up on
Long Island, New York, and still has family there. Auker was grateful for
the chance to contribute to relief efforts. “Finally, something I can do!”
she said. “I love your church for doing this, and I'm so happy to have
something to do to help.” | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | 8 Connecticut
On Saturday in New Haven, 40 missionaries and over 30 Church members helped
neighbors clear yards and homes of debris. Local Church members also
collected food, warm coats and personal care items for a local television
station’s drive to benefit the Connecticut Food Bank, Salvation Army and
American Red Cross.
Church member Tamara McMurdie organized an effort to collect items in her
Manchester neighborhood. “I couldn't do nothing; I had to do something,”
she said. McMurdie, her husband, Neil, and other volunteers collected more
than 110 coats, as well as sweaters, hats, gloves and other warm clothes,
personal hygiene items and over $3,000 worth of food in their three-hour
drive.
McMurdie said she was touched when a woman in a wheelchair arrived with her
guide dog to bring a donation. “The rest of the world stopped for me for a
moment as they made their way up to contribute,” McMurdie said.
Church volunteers along the East Coast will continue to provide assistance
to hurricane victims in the coming weeks and months. |
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