After Sandy, Where Do You Give?

In the aftermath of a disaster, we might not know how to help. Yet victims need thoughtful aid more than anything. Storm-struck areas’ needs change quickly. The community that called for food, water and flashlights yesterday might put out a desperate request for blankets tomorrow. Below is a list of opportunities to help you figure out how to give money and time most effectively. Here’s where to give …

Donate

UJA-Federation of New York has a Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund at ujafedny.org/hurricane-sandy-relief-fund. The federation funds agencies that serve seniors, the poor and the hungry throughout New York City, Westchester and Long Island. Some of the agencies’ offices have themselves been damaged.

A donor can earmark a contribution to Hurricane Sandy projects at the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City (nyc.gov/html/fund/html/home/home.shtml), which facilitates public-private partnerships for the support of public programs.

Established by several foundations to offer a strategic way to give after disasters hit, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy has established a Hurricane Sandy Disaster Fund. Donate online at disasterphilanthropy.org/where/current-disasters/hurricane-sandy/the-cdp-hurricane-sandy-disaster-fund.

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the umbrella group for organized philanthropy in major cities and regions, announced Oct. 30 that it has opened its Hurricane Relief Fund (jewishfederations.org/page.aspx:id=258452) for donations towards recovery and rebuilding.

The Union for Reform Judaism is reaching out to its congregations to determine the most immediate needs in affected communities and is collecting donations at urj.org/socialaction/issues/relief/hurricanes.

A group of Orthodox organizations have banded together to form the Emergency Sandy Chesed Fund, organized by City Councilman David Greenfield and managed by Hatzalah with support neighborhood Jewish community Councils. Mail donations to 1340 East 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230, care of Chevra Hatzalah. Donate online at duvys.com/simple/emergencychesedfund.

Donate to a special fund (seagatehurricaneemergencyfund.blogspot.com) to help families in the hard-hit community of Sea Gate, Brooklyn.

Volunteer

Repair the World is compiling volunteer opportunities at werepair.org/blog/hurricane-sandy-how-to-help-now/16170; you can also find an assignment at The Lower East Side Recovers (lowereastside.recovers.org) or at JCorp’s Facebook page: facebook.com/JCorps.

The Rockaway Citizens Safety Patrol needs social workers, clean-up volunteers and supplies for Bayswater, Far Rockaway and Belle Harbor; call the hotline at (718) 327-8606 to help.

The Conference on Material Claims Conference Against Germany has established a fund to help organizations that deal with Holocaust Survivors provide aid. If you are interested in helping, contact i…@claimscon.org.