For the past couple of weeks, I know we have all been sharing stories of our experiences during the hurricane and the Nor’easter.  We are thankful that we are all okay, and pray for those who have been touched personally with difficulty and even worse, tragedy.  Please take a moment to read the info below.  If you have a blog or twitter account, Tumblr or Facebook page, that you repost some of this information.  If you feel so inclined to forward this in an email to others, thank you in advance.

Occupy Sandy has branches in NY and NJ.  Their donation system is set up is through wedding registries on Amazon.com.  Also, beyond just the registries, both Occupy Sandy’s are coordinating volunteers, deliveries, pantries of items throughout many community centers, transportation, etc.  It is a herculean effort that is making a difference.  Over the past couple of weeks, needs have changed.  This is another opportunity for us to help each other.

These registries, set up for needs for both the Brooklyn devastation and the NJ devastation (the only type Amazon has is a wedding registry) helps coordinate very specific items with people who might want to make a donation but do not know what is needed.  Brief description below of the registries and links.  Occupy Sandy is highly organized and have gotten supplies to many of the people who need it.

Here are links to a blog which list other donation opportunities and a summary of the Sandy materials below:  http://marybethdelbalzo.blogspot.com/2012/11/thanksgiving-more-than-ever-please-help.html

http://marybethdelbalzo.blogspot.com/2012/11/occupy-sandy-relief-efforts.html

Sandy in NY

http://www.amazon.com/registry/wedding/32TAA123PJR42

Occupy Sandy NY and Occupy Sandy’s NY Wedding Registry
Shipping Address: Occupy Sandy – Brooklyn, New York
Event Date: November 30, 2012
Couples’ Style: Warm, non-perishable
Description: Help donate to the victims of Hurricane Sandy by shipping items to the Occupy Sandy relief outpost at the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew in Clinton Hill (520 Clinton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238). Our team: John Heggestuen, Alex Nordenson, and Katherine Dolan. We are Brooklyn residents and are in touch with the Occupy Sandy team who will receive the shipped items and organize daily deliveries to priority response areas. We are the updating the registry as we get info on what is needed most in affected areas. PLEASE pay for the most expedited shipping – these items are needed ASAP. Also, please contact Amazon after your order and ask them to reimburse you for shipping. We’ve heard this has been honored for a few people now who told them about the cause and so we encourage everyone to do it! **PLEASE help us track inventory instantaneously – send an email to sandyregistryinventory@gmail.com letting us know what you donated. Email sandyregistryinfo@gmail.com with any other questions/feedback on the registry and email sandyregistrypr@gmail.com for additional info about our team** Please follow us on Twitter for further updates: @SandyRegistry ***Here’s a link to see some of the work being done at the church: http://slmimages.tumblr.com/ *** ***Check out how the storm hit Rockaway: http://howsandyhitrockaway.tumblr.com/*** ***If you have any issues with the “Gift Registry” saved address for the church not auto-populating please enter it manually: The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew 520 Clinton Ave Brooklyn, New York 11238 THANK YOU!
Sandy in NJ

http://www.amazon.com/registry/wedding/2FDVT8QGKJFYR

Occupy Sandy NJ and Occupy Sandy NJ’s Wedding Registry
Shipping Address: Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne St. – Jersey City, NJ
Event Date: October 29, 2012
Couples’ Style: All you need is love
Description: Your donations make a difference! Critical supplies support NJ residents seeking shelter, food, warmth, and human kindness in Sandy’s aftermath. For up-to-date information about how to help, visit http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/newjersey-locations/ or http://www.jcnjrecovery.org/. Items purchased will be sent to the Jersey City Sandy Recovery distribution center at Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne St, Jersey City, NJ, 07302. If you have Amazon Prime or are able to pay for expedited shipping, prompt delivery is GREATLY appreciated. *Items may not show as purchased until they are shipped. Rest assured that they are in queue.* Feedback welcome at sandyreliefnj@gmail.com. @SandyRegistryNJ is Leah Barton hunkered down in Houston, TX, with strong support from Heather Balliet Lee in Jersey City. Hat tip to the original @SandyRegistry in NY. Check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/JerseyCitySandyRecovery/ for additional needs. ***SATURDAY UPDATE from the terrific Barrow Mansion volunteers – We are able to deprioritize food, clothes, and toiletries now that other organizations are up and running. We still need CLEANING SUPPLIES and TOOLS FOR UPCOMING RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS.*** 600 BOXES have been delivered to date – details at http://tinyurl.com/sandynjsaturday. Please spread the word through your networks! THANK YOU for your incredible support!