Community Corner

Hurricane Sandy Relief: How You Can Help

Here is how Massachusetts residents donations can aid victims in most affected areas.

While many Massachusetts residents lost power and those closer to the coast saw some flooding, the state was largely spared of catastrophic damage from Hurricane Sandy. Residents in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and other coastal areas were not so lucky.

If you'd like to help on a national level, organizations like the Amreican Red Cross and Salvation Army are accepting donations and volunteers.

  • The American Red Cross is collecting funds and coordinating blood donations. The organization sheltered more than 3,000 people across nine states during the worst of the storm. You can donate $10 by phone by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.
  • Sandy has caused the cancellation of about 300 American Red Cross blood drives. To schedule a blood donation at a center near you or for more information about giving blood or platelets, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
  • The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) takes donations to rescue and shelter animals affected by the storm. Nearly 300 animals are staying with their owners in shelters in the New York City area, the agency said. The ASPCA is also setting up a distribution center in Syracuse, New York with 4,000 sheltering units, which contain pet food, crates, food bowls, toys, and anything else an animal may need.
  • The Salvation Army: You can donate $10 to the Salvation Army by texting “STORM” to 80888. If you are already volunteer-certified, you can sign up to help out with disaster relief.
  • AmeriCares: You can donate to AmeriCares’ relief fund to help the organization, which is distributing supplies to 130 clinics in the 13 states affected by Sandy.

If getting in to the thick of the action is more your style volunteers in New York City and New Jersey are being coordinated by phone. 

Find out what's happening in Miltonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Volunteers in New Jersey are being coordinated through an emergency response hotline, 1-800-JERSEY-7 (1-800-537-7397). Alternate numbers, for when the hotline isn’t staffed, include 609-775-5236 and 908-303-0471 or emails can be sent to Rowena.Madden@sos.state.nj.us.
  • The New York City agency NYC Service is coordinating volunteers for various relief projects in New York City. Go to its Facebook page  or email nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov with your name and email address.

To follow news from some of the most affected areas and see how local residents are faring, here are links to Patch sites:

Do you know of any other groups in Milton or Massachusetts organizing supplies or donations for Hurricane Sandy victims? Tell us in the comments.

Find out what's happening in Miltonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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