United Methodist Long Island Sandy Recovery Ministry
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Volume 2 Issue 10 United Methodist October 2014 Long Island Sandy Recovery Ministry No matter how big the call, no matter how small, you A Ministry of the New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church have no idea of what God is calling you to do, but Located at: Community United Methodist Church, 100 Park Blvd, Massapequa, NY 11758 516-795-1322 God needs you. He needs me. He needs all of us. - Fr. Mychal Judge Meet a Sandy Homeowner: 2 Years Later The living room, dining person who started the room, kitchen, and the rebuild himself after LI bathroom were completely Sandy Recovery Ministry Rev. Tom Vencuss, gutted. A team of men purchased many material NYAC Coordinator from the Presbyterian supplies for him. Then, in Disaster Recovery Ministries Church in Southampton August, a DIAD team from Peggy Racine, developed a very close Baldwin 1st UMC came to relationship with Stan, assist him in the rebuild: LI Sandy Site Coordinator returning more than four sanding, priming, and times to further their work. spackling the sheetrock in Gus Segredo, Stan Stuart They even brought in several rooms. The DIAD LI Sandy Construction home-baked muffins one volunteers also removed Coordinator A 40-year resident of Seaford, Saturday, which Stan and bagged the contents Long Island, Stan Stuart lives Stephania Petit, MPA thought were delicious. of an abandoned boat that in a splanch home. For those had washed up onto his Disaster Case Manager of you unfamiliar with the In the Spring of 2014, back property during the term, this is a home built on a Rev. Bob Grimm DCM Stephania Petit of LI hurricane, and cut up the slab, usually due to high Sandy was contacted by boat for disposal. Housing Coordinator water tables on a property. the American Red Cross, This type of home is said to who were trying to provide Mr. Stuart had to deal with Gina Grubbs have originated on Long additional aid. Mr. Stuart replacing his complete Project Support/ Island, and is a cross agreed to have Stephania heating system, the first Communications between a split-level and a act as his case manager. floor electrical system and ranch home. Warren Ferry, She continues to assist his entire bathroom and him in many ways. kitchen; as well as LI East Disaster Response Stan Stuart first asked for our Teams returned in April repairing his roof, and Coordinator; Disaster assistance January of 2013. Recovery Specialist 2014. They installed some removing his deck. When Hurricane Sandy hit his home outside siding on part of he was asked about his ================== with eight feet of water, his home, and replaced a experiences, he noted that destroying kitchen cabinets, Rita Coughlin, glass french door panel. the Southampton team floors, walls, and furniture, as Stan has always been an was “excellent”. He also Newsletter Editor well as damaging his roof. independent and capable said that he met good folks from NYAC and the Several teams of volunteers Red Cross who helped went to his home over the him. Mr. Stuart remains next four months to gut his positive: he commented house, removing damaged that "Life goes on. I have sheetrock, plywood (which been blessed that I wasn't had been under the sheet- LI-SandyRecovery@ injured and met nice NYAC-UMC.com rock), and insulation, molding people to help me." and ceilings in multiple www.facebook.com/UMLI rooms. Debris from the flood SandyRecoveryMinistry was also moved and bagged for local sanitation pickup. Stan hard at work Happy Halloween !! UM LI Sandy Recovery Ministry Page 2 Hurricane Safety Tips As the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy is approaching, we thought some basic hurricane safety tips would be an appropriate topic. FEMA provides these and more on their web site: http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes. BEFORE A HURRICANE: To begin preparation, you higher ground. Secure days’ worth of water and should create an emerg- your property, and shutter canned goods in case you ency kit, and a family or board up your windows. lose refrigeration. Let communication plan. It is (Tape will not protect your your friends and family also helpful to know your windows from breaking.) know about the Red Cross home’s elevation. You Bring in any outdoor items web site:www.safeandwell.org can find this information at and patio furniture that You can register your one of the following sites: might blow away in the status or find some one www.veloroutes.org/elevation wind. You may also want else’s status. Just fill in “Let your friends and www.whatismyelevation.com to trim bushes or trees for their questionnaire on line. family know about the better wind resistance. There are check boxes to Learn your evacuation Red Cross web site: Stock up on at least three facilitate this. routes and how to find www.safeandwell.org” DURING A HURRICANE: When a hurricane hits, your bathtub with water, it could be the eye of the you should listen to the TV and other containers such storm. Winds will pick up or radio for information. as clean soda bottles. again when it has passed. Turn the refrigerator Stay indoors and away Evacuate if your local thermostat to the coldest from windows and class authorities instruct you to setting and keep the door doors. Close all interior do so, following their closed. If you have doors; secure and brace instructions. You may propane tanks, turn them external doors. Keep also find it advisable to off. Phone lines will be curtains and blinds closed evacuate if you live in a hard to access, so avoid in case of flying objects mobile home or temporary using the phone except for hitting the windows. Take structure, or if you live in a emergencies. Often you refuge in a small interior high-rise building as winds will find that text mess- room, closet or hallway on are stronger at higher ages will go through when the lowest level. Do not elevations; or if you live in voice calls cannot. Fill be fooled if there is a lull – a flood-prone area. AFTER A HURRICANE: Continue listening to the evacuated, return home walk carefully around the local news for the latest only when officials say it is outside of your home and update. Stay alert for safe. If you cannot return check for loose power extended rainfall and home and have immediate lines, gas leaks, and “You can text flooding even after the housing needs, you can structural damage before SHELTER + your ZIP hurricane has ended. If text SHELTER + your ZIP entering. If your power is code to 43362 you are separated from code to 43362 (4FEMA) to out, turn on your flashlight (4FEMA) to find your your family, use your find your nearest shelter. while outside, as the nearest shelter.”. family communication plan Drive only if necessary battery may produce a or contact the Red Cross and avoid flooded roads; spark that could ignite at 1-800-733-2767 or visit watch for fallen objects or leaking gas, if any is their Safe and Well site downed electrical wires. present. Take pictures of When you return home, any damage. (see above). If you .