Hurricane Sandy may have made landfall in October 2012 but there are still people struggling nearly a year after the storm has hit. It's estimated that the hurricane caused $50 billion in damages, and the emotional toll it has had on people is immeasurable. People have seen their homes destroyed and their communities drastically changed, and people are still trying to find a way to get their lives in order after the storm. So much has happened since Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast last fall, and many of the victims have fallen out of the public eye. There are still thousands of people who need help, and you could do a lot to help them out. If you’re interested in better the lives of people effected by Hurricane Sandy, try donating to a few of these causes.
Donate for Advocacy
Many people don't think about the legal problems that can occur after a storm, and there are some legal advocacy groups that can help victims of the storm. A lot of property owners that were affected by Hurricane Sandy are still in legal limbo right now. Many homeowners are struggling with the insurance companies to try to get the financial help that they need to help rebuild. Even more are having legal problems with their towns and counties over property problems. Some are being forced out of storm-damaged areas and aren't getting paid fairly for their relocation needs.
Donate Home Supplies
Some people have been lucky enough to be able to rebuild their homes, but many of those people have empty homes because they lost everything they owned because of flood and wind damage. After paying for cleanup costs, permits, construction workers, and home building materials, many people don't have enough money left over to buy essential home supplies. These people don't just need furniture, plates, and shelves; many of them have children that are in desperate need of clothing and toys. A simple donation of an old couch or some old cookware can significantly help a family in need.
Donate School Supplies
Schools were some of the hardest hit institutions by Hurricane Sandy. School districts from across the country have been hard hit by budget cuts, and schools that were already in hard financial times were hit even harder once Sandy made landfall. Many schools are re-opened, but they severely lack essential supplies like paper, pencils, and markers. If you don't have school supplies to donate, money and time can be as helpful as school supplies. Volunteer to help out a severely underfunded and understaffed after school program, or donate money so that kids and teachers can afford to go on a field trip.
Donate Your Time
There are still areas of the New Jersey shore that are in desperate need of care. There are many Hurricane Sandy clean up efforts that are still going on months after the storm, and just a few hours of hard work from you during the weekend could help improve these areas. You could also do something charitable while having fun with your family and friends: take a vacation at the shore. Many of these shore towns experienced severe economic problems because of the storm, and tourism is just what they need to help bring in some much needed revenue.
