The next day, I arrived at Sea Gate to find reinforcements had arrived. The Red Cross sent an ambulance where they were filling prescriptions and assisting the ill. A couple of volunteer veterinarians had arrived and were examining people’s dogs and cats and handing out canned food and medicine. The choppers were still flying overhead, lines of hungry people were already forming where the food distribution tents were going to be set up, and yet there continued to be a sense of optimism that continually permeated through the community. The weekend before, when my friend and I were handing out bottled water and supplies block by block, one woman kept cracking jokes while looking for a blanket to keep her warm at night. As we prepared to drive to the next block she looked at us and said, “Remember to smile. If you can’t laugh, what’s the point?”

One of the striking things I noticed about the people of Coney Island was their shared positive demeanor. I really didn’t understand it at first; these people had lost everything, yet they often shared stories and laughs, spread news they heard from another block over and always looked after one another. The reason they were optimistic seemed to be two-fold: They have no other choice but to move forward, and they are a real community full of neighbors who know one another.

The Rosenblum Companies sent me down to a disaster area to deliver a truck full of supplies and support for hard working New Yorkers in need. We brought food, cleaning supplies, diapers, toys, blankets and every essential item our families, friends and co-workers could muster. I drove our truck through public housing blocks loaded with Red Cross survival packages and watched as neighbors remembered to grab extra for those with limited mobility.

While it may take years before things return to some degree of normalcy for thousands of people living along the coast of New Jersey and New York, the outpouring of love and donations many have sent has given these people hope. The lion’s share of work still needs to be done and many will never be able to return to their homes, but we’d like to thank everyone who has helped by donating supplies and support these past few weeks. If you’d like to help, there’s still a great need for volunteers. Please check the links below for ways you can assist those in need.

On behalf of The Rosenblum Companies, thank you for all the support you’ve given.

Sincerely,

Dylan Turek

American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund

Hurricane Sandy Relief Foundation

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City Hurricane Relief Fund

Hurricane Sandy NJ Relief Fund

Food Bank for New York City

Tunnel to Towers Foundation Hurricane Relief Fund

Hope for New York