Hurricane Sandy’s high winds, heavy rains and sweeping damage wrecked havoc on New Jersey and New York this fall. Our New Jersey and New York City offices were closed for more than a week, and our colleagues in those areas faced very personal and local damage to their cities, towns and properties. But despite these hard times, our employees still found time, resources and volunteers to help out their friends, colleagues, and even strangers in need.
Bringing the Heat
OneBeacon Technology’s Linda Schultz has family and friends living in areas affected by Sandy. It hit home to her that many people felt isolated and helpless in these areas due to lack of power, supplies, and gasoline for cars. So she and her daughter packed up their SUV in Pittsburgh with portable heaters and fuel, and drove up to a family member’s home in Brooklyn, who was organizing donations.
Said Schultz, “My cousin runs his own business and had been organizing donation collections through Facebook. People would let him know of families in need and he would get supplies to them. He told us that two of our heaters went to families with several kids each who had been ‘camped’ out in homes without heat. Frankly, social media allowed this trip to happen, as I wouldn’t have known about his efforts without it.”
Check out this picture Linda snapped of her car before setting out!
Cooking up a Storm- after the storm
OBPI’s Farmington employees also wanted to help their neighbors in New York and Staten Island. So a team of about ten people traveled to New York to cook and donate supplies, helping to fill two box trucks of deliveries to Staten Island neighborhoods. People came out to get supplies as well as enjoy hot food from the grill volunteers brought. Many people had been without a hot meal since the power went out and were excited and amazed at the free food. The children especially loved the trays of cupcakes and cookies brought in.
Once the neighborhood had the supplies they needed, the National Guard stopped by to empty out the rest of the truck and transport the clothes to areas of New Jersey in need.
Thank you to Linda and OBPI, as well as all our other employees who have been out helping to clean up, rebuild and bring necessary items to the communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy. We know your help is appreciated!