10/26... T-MINUS 3 DAYS AND COUNTING
One year ago...
So much progress for some, so little movement or progress for others. I count myself among the blessed, I am in my finished home. There are so many that are living double lives- not able to live in storm damaged property, yet responsible for the properties costs and up keep. There are rallies, meetings to distribute information and yet there is a lack of usable information available...
So much sadness- I have had the opportunity to meet so many people who continue to struggle, who still today, cannot speak about their experience of the storm and it's aftermath without tears cascading down their faces... if you know me ( and if you are reading this, you do ) you know that I am crying right along with them. They need support, yet are often reluctant to utilize the available resources. I can provide encouragement and listen a bit but there are those who rebuff even these offers of an ear...
So much happiness- when I volunteer with Friends of Freeport I am amazed by what we can achieve and the joy that our task completion brings to families and individuals. Grateful faces with smiles, and no surprise, tears of joy and thanksgiving.
So much still to do...
I will continue to be there and to reach out as best as I can and assist those who are in need, and hope that I and others can continue to be there and do our part...
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
It's been almost a year
Wow... the date is October 20, 2013... almost a year since Superstorm Sandy altered the loves of so many people... Change is a long difficult road, made even more difficult if the change is triggered by things outside your control...
Who would have thought that the Long Island south shore would still be reeling a year after the storm and that so many would still be unable to live in storm damaged homes one year later? Certainly not me, I was out of my home for six months, there are still so many who are home owners that are paying mortgages, taxes and rent for a place to live, it is unconscionable to me that in this day and age so many are still suffering terribly. I think of them and pray for them daily, and have been helping whenever I can to put a dent in the number of those not able to fully use their homes by volunteering with an Awesome group of people- growing pains are obvious within that group as well- Friends of Freeport (www.friendsoffreeprtny.org)
I hope things smooth out and that we can continue actively in our mission of bringing families home. If there is anyone reading this blog that has intimate knowledge of great fundraising techniques /resources please contact me (shari@friendsoffreeportny.org.)
Yesterday we were involved in the building of a playground- well, actually, mostly the decorating of the grounds of a Safe playground for the community at the recreation center, I can't wait to see it filled with the smiles and loud with the yells and sounds of happy children playing- even with the green thing in the corner!
We have an anniversary celebration coming up as do so many local communities, it will be a sweet and sour day... a time to reflect and to plan for the future and hope that local planning efforts can prevent this kind of devastation in the future.
Who would have thought that the Long Island south shore would still be reeling a year after the storm and that so many would still be unable to live in storm damaged homes one year later? Certainly not me, I was out of my home for six months, there are still so many who are home owners that are paying mortgages, taxes and rent for a place to live, it is unconscionable to me that in this day and age so many are still suffering terribly. I think of them and pray for them daily, and have been helping whenever I can to put a dent in the number of those not able to fully use their homes by volunteering with an Awesome group of people- growing pains are obvious within that group as well- Friends of Freeport (www.friendsoffreeprtny.org)
I hope things smooth out and that we can continue actively in our mission of bringing families home. If there is anyone reading this blog that has intimate knowledge of great fundraising techniques /resources please contact me (shari@friendsoffreeportny.org.)
Yesterday we were involved in the building of a playground- well, actually, mostly the decorating of the grounds of a Safe playground for the community at the recreation center, I can't wait to see it filled with the smiles and loud with the yells and sounds of happy children playing- even with the green thing in the corner!
We have an anniversary celebration coming up as do so many local communities, it will be a sweet and sour day... a time to reflect and to plan for the future and hope that local planning efforts can prevent this kind of devastation in the future.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
OMG FLOOR...
So... today is October 3, 2013 and my floor is being repaired.
O M G
Monday I got brave and sent some wild e-mails and got answers really quickly...
"I' m sorry, I thought I told you that the floor would be arriving today." NOT
"you will be hearing from Judy soon." YUP five minutes after the e-mail cam I got a phone call from the invisible one telling me that she was in fact at UPS picking up the flooring. I shared this information and was advised that the flooring needed to be brought to the house and needed time to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the unit. Yesterday the floor was delivered, and this morning at about 9 a m a crew arrived to remove the damaged boards and install the new boards.
I am siting now, upstairs on my computer while it sounds like the eve of destruction downstairs. Saws, hammering and the noise of construction fill the house... anxiety fills my body. I have taken pictures of the process and I will share them on facebook as I do't now how to add pictures on the blog.
Sandy may finally be gasping her last breath in my personal life, but not in my life as I continue to be actively involved in Friends of Freeport work. This storm feels as though it will never be out of the lives of those impacted!
To those who continue to struggle, we are with you and will continue to fight, work and rebuild.
O M G
Monday I got brave and sent some wild e-mails and got answers really quickly...
"I' m sorry, I thought I told you that the floor would be arriving today." NOT
"you will be hearing from Judy soon." YUP five minutes after the e-mail cam I got a phone call from the invisible one telling me that she was in fact at UPS picking up the flooring. I shared this information and was advised that the flooring needed to be brought to the house and needed time to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the unit. Yesterday the floor was delivered, and this morning at about 9 a m a crew arrived to remove the damaged boards and install the new boards.
I am siting now, upstairs on my computer while it sounds like the eve of destruction downstairs. Saws, hammering and the noise of construction fill the house... anxiety fills my body. I have taken pictures of the process and I will share them on facebook as I do't now how to add pictures on the blog.
Sandy may finally be gasping her last breath in my personal life, but not in my life as I continue to be actively involved in Friends of Freeport work. This storm feels as though it will never be out of the lives of those impacted!
To those who continue to struggle, we are with you and will continue to fight, work and rebuild.
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