Hurricane Sandy Aid, Volunteer and Donation Resources

If you are an active SAG-AFTRA member facing hardship due to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy, the SAG Foundation, SAG Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund and the AFTRA Foundation are here to help.

The SAG Foundation has provided initial funding through a $100,000 contribution that is being matched by the SAG MPPWF and $50,000 from the AFTRA Foundation for a total available amount of $250,000. Grants are being administered to SAG-AFTRA members by The Actors Fund through a confidential and streamlined process aimed at aiding members quickly and effectively.
 
Communities have been hit hard by Sandy. Many members have lost their homes or have been without heat and electricity, so need is great. New Yorker Jane Curtin and SAG Foundation Board and SAG-AFTRA National Board member Ron Perlman are backing the effort, and encouraging fellow members to donate. With additional donations, there can be a much greater impact and many more people can be helped.

Members are eligible to apply if they are currently active and have paid their dues through the May 2012 billing cycle and can apply by contacting The Actors Fund intake services directly at:

Eastern Region, 212.221.7300 ext. 119, intakeny@actorsfund.org

Can you lend a helping hand? The SAG Foundation is accepting donations directed to the Superstorm Sandy Emergency Assistance Fund from individuals and corporate donors who may wish to help provide relief to hard-hit SAG-AFTRA members in the affected areas. Contributions may be made by clicking this link.

If you need help, ask. If you can help, give. We’re all in this together.

The following list of additional Hurricane Sandy resources for NY & NJ residents is provided by the New York City-Central Labor Council:

AFL-CIO Sandy Disaster Assistance Resources: http://nysaflcio.org/sandy/

United Way Sandy Recovery Fund: Contributions to the Fund will be used by local United Ways in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, DC and West Virginia to address hurricane recovery needs in communities that FEMA has declared disaster areas. Text RECOVERY to 52000 to make a $10 donation (standard data and messaging rates may apply). https://donate.unitedwaynyc.org/page/contribute/uwsandyrecovery
 
NEW YORK/LONG ISLAND:
New York State Recovery Updates
Comprehensive info on applying for FEMA assistance, updates on gas shortages, warming centers and tips for cold weather, transportation (bridges, roads, subways, railways), food assistance, power outage updates, unemployment insurance and more. http://www.governor.ny.gov/

New York Disaster Unemployment Insurance: http://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/claimantinfo/disaster-unemployment-assistance.shtm
 
City Harvest: Donations can be made online at http://www.cityharvest.org/donate-funds/ or over the phone at 646.412.0643 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. To make a food donation, please contact: Racine Rodriguez at 347.443.8413 or rrodriguez@cityharvest.org.
 
The Met Council: Text the word SUSTAIN to 20222 and reply YES to make a $10 donation directly to Met Council. You can also easily make your gift online (www.metcouncil.org). Items that are most needed at this time include kosher food, water, toiletries, new towels, new coats, paper towels, gloves, garbage bags, and cleaning supplies.
 
Food Bank of NYC: The warehouse is located at Hunts Point Cooperative Market, 355 Food Center Drive Bronx, NY 10474. Phone: 718.991.4300. They need volunteers at their warehouse.
 
Island Harvest: If you would like to donate, please call the Emergency Food Collections Center at 631-873-4775.
 
Long Island Cares: Is accepting donations at The Harry Chapin Food Bank, 10 Davids Drive (Harry Chapin Way), Hauppauge, NY 11788-2039. You can also call (631) 582-FOOD or email info@licares.org.
 
Sustainable Long Island: You can make a donation at http://sustainableli.org/ or by calling (516) 873-0230.
 
NEW JERSEY:

New Jersey State Recovery Updates: www.nj.gov

Apply for Federal Assistance
http://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance
 
Emergency Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
DUA is available to residents of Atlantic County, Cape May County, Essex County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Ocean County and Union County.
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/ui/ui_index.html
 
CDC Clean Up Guide
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/cleanup/facts.asp

Protect Yourself from Mold
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/protect.asp
 
Union Plus $500 Grants
Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to help participants in the Union Plus Credit Card, Insurance or Mortgage programs who are facing financial hardship because of recent severe weather.
www.unionplus.org/sandy
 
Sandy New Jersey Tumblr Resources List
http://njsandyresources.tumblr.com/

New York Production Alliance
www.nypa.org
See the Spotlight on the right hand column of the page for information about Hurricane Sandy drives and donation opportunities.

A Message From the New Jersey State AFL-CIO

Temporary Disaster Employment

Those who are interested in temporary disaster relief employment are encouraged to call (877) 682-6238 or email SandyHelp@dol.state.nj.us to find out what opportunities might be available to you. Many workers have lost working hours or are indefinitely out of work due to Superstorm Sandy. The opportunity to earn supplemental income is a great resource to families struggling to make ends meet during these difficult times.

Jobseekers can also send their resume to FEMA-NJ-localhire-jobs@fema.dhs.gov to be considered for disaster relief employment opportunities. This program provides a good opportunity to put extra money in families’ pockets while expediting the recovery process.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO continues hold meetings around the state with union affiliates and representatives from FEMA. We are committed to ensuring that any recovery information that is available is disseminated to our affiliates as soon as possible. These meeting are invaluable to answering affiliate questions directly since it is impossible to anticipate what everyone’s needs are. These meetings also allow FEMA to learn from our unions the best way to advance our state’s recovery.

Sandy Recovery Toolkit HIGHLIGHT: Avoid Disaster Related Scams            

Important flyers and phone numbers are available on the Sandy Recovery Toolkit with information on how to avoid disaster related scams. Make sure to equip yourself with this knowledge before hiring a contractor, making any major purchases, or donating to disaster relief.

In Unity,

Charles Wowkanech, President
Laurel Brennan, Secretary-Treasurer