One-year after Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the nation, we’re taking time today to celebrate with a family who have been helped by Convoy of Hope and its friends.
Our generous donors enabled us to participate in the New York City Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable. One of the great results from this gathering was an opportunity to partner with local agencies to provide a fully-equipped handicap vehicle to the Salihi family of Staten Island.
After losing their home and vehicle to the storm, the Salihi’s were able to utilize personal and public resources to rebuild their home but they were left without the vehicle that was critical to transporting their two disabled boys. Such a gap is exactly what we’re looking to find and fill as we continue our work helping survivors recover from Superstorm Sandy.
Nebije Salihi shed tears of joy and expressed her gratitude for the well-equipped full-sized van that will be vital in transporting her sons, “I am so happy that I am shaking on the inside,” she said.
Since the hurricane, 81 truckloads of relief supplies have been delivered to New York and New Jersey and we’ve held multiple Community Events that helped thousands of families — we’re not finished helping.
We have distributed 22 truckloads of building materials that are being used by relief partners for reconstruction of damaged homes. In addition to providing relief supplies, work is underway to provide gap funding to displaced families like the Salihis who are rebuilding in the New York and New Jersey areas.
On the anniversary of Superstorm Sandy we have a team of community engagement directors who are on the ground in New York to build strategic partnerships with local pastors and community leaders who will host community outreach events in 2014.
“We’re still engaged in helping survivors of Sandy recover and rebuild,” says Ron Showers, Director of Community Engagement. “We held Community Events in Long Island in 2013 to provide relief to families still struggling to recover and will continue those efforts next year.”