Hurricane Sandy: Ways to Help, Donate & Fundraising Events

Steve Hills, right, a volunteer from Long Island who said he wasn’t affected by Superstorm Sandy, hands out antibacterial wipes at a distribution point in the Rockaways, a neighborhood that was hit hard and is still without power in the wake of the storm, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Many businesses on Long Island are opening their doors for donations to help ease the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy for many local families. From drop-off locations to fundraising events and more, here are some ways you can help your neighbors.

HURRICANE SANDY DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

TODAY ONLY (NOV.12): The New York Islanders are holding a special event to help raise funds for area residents affected by Hurricane Sandy. On Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 12, from 2 – 8 p.m., the team will host a free, open skate at Nassau Coliseum for the general public. Throughout the event, the team will collect monetary donations, warm clothing and other non-perishable items.

The Long Island Aquarium on Main Street in Riverhead is acting as a Hurricane Sandy donation site for Long Island Cares and is collecting the following at its main entrance: Ready-to-Eat Non-Perishable Food Items (No-cook food items: canned tuna, cereal & granola bars, etc.); Personal Care Items (Unused Shampoo, Deodorant, Soap, etc.); Clean Blankets; Clean Coats; Baby Items (Diapers, Wipes, Liquid Formula)

The Long Island Press is teaming up with Ace Hardware stores across Long Island, the Kids Kloset, Rock Can Roll and Long Island Food Not Bombs to help our neighbors who have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy. All Long Island Ace Hardware locations are serving as drop-off locations for non-perishable food items and clothing donations to those in need on the south shore: 2138 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park; 770-14 Grand Blvd., Deer Park; 246 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset; 1102 Route 110, Farmingdale; 2667 Merrick Rd., Bellmore; 448 Union Blvd., West Islip; 5135 Merrick Rd., Massapequa Park; 3899 Hempstead Tpke, Bethpage; 1518 Union Turnpike, New Hyde Park; 3965 Long Beach Rd., Island Park; 2120 Middle Country Rd, Centereach; 1330 Hicksville Road, No. Massapequa; 822 Fort Salonga Rd., Northport; 515 Montauk Hwy., West Babylon; 2323 Jericho Tpke, Garden City Park; 52 E. Main St., Smithtown; 15 W. Main St., East Islip; 360 Route 25A, Rocky Point; 518 Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck

Clothing donations are being accepted at the Jericho firehouse at 411 N. Broadway, Jericho and at the back door (leave in bags) at the Yaphank Fire House at 31 Main St., Yaphank.

Helping Hand Rescue Mission, 225 Broadway, Huntington Station needs items as they continue to prepare food for the Huntington warming centers, including sandwich bread, cold cuts, fruit, juice boxes, pasta, pasta sauce tomato products, macaroni & cheese, snack items, hot chocolate mix, veggies, cream of chicken & cream of mushroom soups.

During the International Great Beer Expo at Belmont Park Racetrack (rescheduled from Nov. 10 to Nov. 17 due to Hurricane Sandy) a site will be set up to accept donations of blankets, toiletries, cleaning products, gloves (rubber and winter), industrial garbage bags, first aid supplies and baby supplies.

Island Harvest  is collecting food, cleaning supplies, water and other nonperishable items at the following locations: 875 Jerusalem Ave., Uniondale; Weekdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; 40 Marcus Blvd., Hauppauge, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is extending their annual Turkey, Emergency Food & Relief Drive for Sandy victims: Nov. 16, 7 a.m.– 6 p.m.: Frozen Turkeys, Shelf Stable Easy-to-Open Food Items, Cleaning Supplies and Diapers Needed! – rain or shine – outside of Bethpage’s main branch located at 899 South Oyster Bay Road in Bethpage.

Even Flow Bar & Grill (150 E. Main St., Bay Shore) holds two days of raising funds beginning noon on Nov. 17 to 8:30 p.m. and again on Nov. 18, noon till midnight. $10 Minimum Donation at the door. Also setting up boxes for canned goods, ready made meals, batteries, flash lights, baby formula, ready feed, diapers, baby wipes etc. NO CLOTHES.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP

Taking Back Sunday has announced a new show to take place Nov. 16 at the Best Buy Theater in New York City. Tickets for this show will go on sale today, Monday, Nov. 12 at noon.  Bayside and The Menzingers will open. 100 percent of net ticket proceeds to relief efforts in and around Long Beach, the hometown of several Taking Back Sunday band members.

Volunteers Needed: Help “Fill the Bag” to Create 10,000 Meals for Long Island’s Hungry and Super-storm Sandy Families in Need. Robert Jesberger, owner of Mid Island Collision, a Rockville Centre-based automotive repair center, recently purchased more than $100,000 in non-perishable food items, enough to fill five tractor-trailers, which will provide more than 10,000 Thanksgiving meals to Long Island charitable organizations and individuals and families devastated by super-storm Sandy. Jesberger is calling for hundreds of volunteers to donate some of their time anytime between 12pm, Nov. 20 throughout the night to 2 p.m., November 21 to assist in creating bags of meals. To schedule time to volunteer contact Nicole Tirino by emailing [email protected] or log onto  http://www.midislandcollision.com/charity-work-2012/for more information.

Long Island Firearms Keep Long Island Warm Coat Drive: Stop by these locations today and drop off your used coats: Colorful Garden Nursery and Country Store, 1636 Main Rd., Jamesport; Country Cottage, 334 Main St., Center Moriches; East Coast Power Tool Repair, 341 County Rd 39A, Southampton; Hunter Essentials, 900 Willis Ave, Albertson; Hunter Sport’s, 4166 Sunrise Hwy., Massapequa; Mangano Sewer and Drain, 50 Brook Ave.,  Deer Park; South Shore Sportsman, 9 Landsdowne Ave, Merrick; Suffolk Sportsman, 119 E. Main St., Smithtown; Villa Monaco Restaurant, 778 Montauk Hwy, West Islip; Volko Supply Co., 205 Herricks Rd, Garden City, 516-741-4466; Volko Supply Co., 16 Industrial Rd., Port Jefferson Station; Coats will be collected from: Now thru January 13th, 2013.

Swingbelly’s BBQ in Long Beach: Sean the owner is an incredible guy. He has volunteered to prepare Thanksgiving meals for 100 Long Beach families. All he needs now is the money to make it happen. You have the power this year to give the people of Long Beach something to be thankful for. Please donate what you can… every little bit helps. 909 W. Beech St., Long Beach. 516-431-3464