Many Naperville residents have family, friends and business associates along the East Coast that  now are facing the challenges of devastation and displacement caused by Hurricane Sandy. We are eager to post needs and news about local fundraising initiatives to help victims of the ravaging super storm.

For 23 years your PN editor lived back East first  in Manhattan, New York, then in  Chatham, New Jersey. By mid-day on  Friday, we finally received news back from folks there.  Friends in Chatham were still without power caused by large trees that became entangled with power lines.  The power was expected to be restored by Friday evening.  Friends from Chatham who now live in Spring Lake along the Jersey Shore in Monmonth County  were without power and were advised to  evacuate their home.  They went to stay with friends in Pennsylvania, not sure of what they’ll find upon their return. Our family and friends on the Eastside of  Manhattan Island live above 50th Street, so they didn’t lose power.

At 11AM Saturday we had conversation again with Chatham resident Dan Casey who said power had been restored and Governor Christie  had instituted odd-even gas rationing sales at the pump in Morris County. He explained the sub-station refineries in Linden, NJ, had been  flooded. He expected the odd-even system (goes by license plate number)  to remain until all the refineries are up and running again. Casey also reminded us that many folks who live along the East Coast have no car and must rely on public transportation to get to work and everywhere they travel.

With temperatures plummeting below freezing and the threat of another storm and flooding later this week, many residents—men, women and children— are challenged right now on so many different levels (no heat, no electricity, no gas for vehicles or generators, no food, no warm clothing), especially  from New Jersey to Long Island to Staten Island.

Your comments are welcome at the bottom of this post to help us connect with initiatives regarding relief efforts. Thank  you for any help you can offer.

—PN Editor, Stephanie Penick

Updated Nov. 5, 2012

Meson Sabika joins relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Sandy

All-day fundraiser is Nov. 13

Meson Sabika will partner with the American Red Cross to raise funds for the relief efforts on the Atlantic Coast in the wake of the devastating hurricane and subsequent flooding.

The tapas restaurant will donate 100 percent of the revenue generated from 11:30AM to 10PM on Tues., Nov. 13, during lunch and dinner  to efforts to help those devastated and displaced by Hurricane Sandy.

***Meson Sabika’s sister restaurant, Tapas Valencia in Chicago, also will donate 100 percent of revenue generated on Tues., Nov. 13.

Make reservations by calling (630) 983-3000.

In Naperville, Meson Sabika is located at 1025 Aurora Ave.

Naperville Connects 

Jini Clare has family in New York.  She provided the following information:

My brother-in-law and his family who live on Long Island made it through Hurricane Sandy this week. They now have power and I asked them how we can help other people who have been affected by this terrible storm.

Here is the information they just sent. Please share this with others who may want information about how to help.

(Our daughter and her family in Manhattan  never lost power and God kept them safe.)

From Staten Island: Got this from Salvation Army. …  I just haven’t heard that Staten Island got much help from any group. So, Giulianii & the Staten Island borough president are contributing here:

http://www.tunneltotowersrun.org/index.aspx

Read these articles. It’s awful there. Waves came like a tsunami. Still finding bodies.

From the Salvation Army 

As New Yorkers struggle to recover from the massive blow to our region caused by Superstorm Sandy, The Salvation Army and its partners have sprung into action to deliver life-saving supplies to those most impacted.

Victims of this monster storm need your help now!

Under New York City’s Office of Emergency Management, The Salvation Army is now assisting in the distribution of vital water and food supplies, which will continue until power and water service is restored. With the assistance of 400 National Guard troops:

There are now 14 food distribution sites in the hardest-hit areas of Greater New York.

600,000 bottles of water and 300,000 packaged meals have been given to approximately 100,000 local residents.

Meals are being delivered to the homes of shut-in residents.

Our disaster relief work is just beginning and will continue for as long as necessary.

Your financial donation will help The Salvation Army continue these vital relief efforts across Greater New York. Click here to make a donation or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

Thank you for helping the victims of this catastrophic event in any way you can.

ROTARY DISTRICT 6450 WEEKLY UPDATE, NOV. 5, 2012

Assistance for Superstorm Sandy Victims

According to Rotary District 6450 District Governor Pat Merryweather,  the Rotary Day at the United Nations this past weekend included a special presentation made by District Governor 7490 Bonnie Sinower of New Jersey.

“Bonnie made a passionate plea for assistance highlighting the complete devastation in her community and shared that many Rotarians had lost everything in the flood and hundreds of thousands were without heat, clothing, and food. As you may have read, the areas are preparing for another storm with freezing temperatures and rain to come through on Wednesday —a challenge for the hundreds of thousands without heat or winter clothing.

“Yesterday, the District Governors of the affected flood communities all came together and decided to have one donation point for all donations rather than having each District or Club set up collection points.”

They are asking that cash donations be made to one fund:

The Walter D. Head Foundation of Rotary District 7490

c/o Calisto Bertin ( our DGN)

Bertin Engineering

66 Glen Avenue

Glen Rock, NJ 07452.

Merryweather added, “By Tuesday, they will also have a way for those who wish to donate funds on-line using Pay Pal, Credit Cards, or wire transfers. I will send out information on this as soon as it is available.”

Is anyone traveling to New Jersey or New York?

If someone from Rotary  District 6450 would wish to drive a truck out to New York/New Jersey area, there are drop off areas set up by Rotarians for coats, blankets, and amenity kits.

“We have more than enough women’s coats and received unsolicited children’s clothes for the Veterans Stand Down Day, so we may be able to send some of those to New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.,” Merryweather wrote.

Please contact Pat Merryweather at dg6450pat@aol.com if you or someone you know is driving out that way and can take some supplies. Thank you.

FYI: Rotary District 6450 includes the Rotary Club of Naperville, Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise, Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown and Rotary Club of Naperville/South A.M. Merryweather is a member of the Rotary Club of Naperville.