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Comedy Relief: Rebuilding with Laughter on January 12th

8 Jan

On January 12th, the CIAO Relief Fund will host Comedy Relief: Rebuilding with Laughter. Some of NY’s top talent have signed on to keep us laughing!

ComedyReliefFlyer

These awesome comics have been seen on Comedy Central, Jimmy Fallon, FX, VH1, MTV, and the Chappelle’s Show… just to name a few. Our line-up will include:

Justin Williams – Beth Maria – Sam Morril – Sheba Mason – Jason Andors – Kenny Ortega – Dan St. Germain

After the show, the party will continue downstairs with music, raffles and awesome prizes. Get your drink on, get your laugh on, and enjoy the company of other people who can get down for a good cause.

Thank you to our generous donors who have already contributed to our raffle prize selection:

Kilwin’s, Chef Dave Martin, City Outdoor, and The Creek & The Cave

Eventbrite - Comedy Relief: Rebuilding with Laughter

Thanks to The Creek & The Cave in Long Island City for hosting us, located at 10-93 Jackson Avenue in Long Island City, NY! Due to subway construction, the 7 train will not be running this weekend. As an alternate route, guests may take the N/Q to Queensborough Plaza and switch to a free shuttle bus to Vernon Blvd. Alternate routes:

to 21 St/Van Alst: Exit onto Jackson Ave. Walk 3 blocks south (away from the Citi building)
to 11th Street.

to 23 St/Ely Ave: Exit onto 21st St. Walk five blocks south to Jackson Ave (the avenue numbers get bigger). Take a right on Jackson. The Creek is 3 blocks up on the right. Please note that the V train does not run on weekends.

By Bus – MTA Bus Map

B61 to 11th Street — right on the Queens side of the Pulaski Bridge
Q67 to Jackson and 46th ave.

By Car – Google Maps – Get Directions

From Manhattan
Via Midtown Tunnel. Take the Borden Ave./Pulaski Bridge Exit. Turn right onto Borden Ave. Turn right onto Vernon Blvd. Turn slight right onto Jackson Ave. The Creek is two blocks on your left.

Via Queensboro/59th St.. Bridge. Use the lower level. Take the Queens Boulevard service lane (all the way to the right) when you exit. At Kelly’s furniture warehouse, turn right on Jackson Ave and follow to 49th Ave.

From Queens/Long Island
LIE (495) west. Exit at Van Dam St. (the last exit before midtown tunnel). Turn right on Van Dam and make a left onto Thompson Avenue. From there, turn left onto Jackson Ave. Continue for 7 blocks. The Creek is located at 49th Ave and Jackson Ave.

From Brooklyn
BQE north to the McGuiness Blvd exit. Once you exit, veer to the left. Continue over the Pulaski Bridge. At the bottom of the bridge turn left onto Jackson Ave. The Creek is on your right at 49th Ave and Jackson Ave.

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Hurricane Sandy Recovery: Weekend of November 17/18th Volunteer Opportunities

16 Nov
2012

Below are some volunteer opportunities for the weekend of November 17th & 18th, relating to Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts:

– Volunteer in Coney Island at “Relief Village” at MCU Park: http://coneyrecovers.org/volunteer

– Volunteers needed in Red Hook, who still has residents without power, heat, and/or hot water. For opportunities, email volunteers@rhicenter.org and visit the Red Hook Recovers website: https://redhook.recovers.org/

– From the office of Councilman Vincent Gentile: “Here is some information about a few of the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts that the City Council will be helping out with as we head into the weekend. We appreciate your past help and hope you can join us! Activities vary from day to day, but folks should expect to get dirty and wet. Also, volunteers are responsible for bringing their own lunch with them. Please RSVP to SandyRelief@council.nyc.gov with your name, email and cell number and which day that you would like to join us.

Saturday, November 17th & Sunday, November 18th Buses will be leaving Saturday (Nov. 17th) and Sunday (Nov. 18th) morning at 10 am from 250 Broadway (between Murray St. and Park Place in Lower Manhattan) across from City Hall. These buses will be going to hard-hit areas in Brooklyn, Queens and/or Staten Island to do a variety of work, including clean-up/out, resident canvassing, food/water distribution, and small business assistance. Many of the communities in these hard-hit areas need cleaning supplies, mops, brooms, masks, gloves, bleach, bags and work clothes, so if you’d like to bring any of these items with you to donate, please do.

Please look for the Gray Line New York double-decker buses with Sandy Relief signs in the window when you arrive at 250 Broadway. All volunteers must be 18 years or older. We’ll try to get folks back to Manhattan as close to 5-5:30 pm as possible.”

– Distribute warming supplies in the Rockaways (cars needed) on November 17th. RSVP HERE: http://www.warmingrockaways.com/

– For people who are able to give 3-4 days per week, or extended time on weekends, check out Occupy Sandy’s list of ideal volunteers needed, including photographers, tool wranglers, dispatchers, field support and more: http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/2012/11/15/seeking-to-fill-multiple-roles-in-clean-up-effort/

-NYC Service has many opportunities for volunteers in all 5 boroughs. Sign up here: http://www.nycservice.org

-Join New Jersey Occupy Sandy for Recovery efforts by signing up here: http://interoccupy.net/occupysandynj/volunteer/

Coney Island Volunteer Day

9 Nov
2012

Update 11.8.2012: From the office of Domenic Recchia, coneyislandrecovers.org :

This Saturday, November 10, we are calling for volunteers to come to Coney Island.  Tasks will include storm damage clean up, distribution of supplies to storm victims, and outreach to affected residents and businesses.  If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out this brief sign-up form.

The day will begin at 9 am.  Please come to Tom’s Restaurant, located on the Boardwalk at the end of Stillwell Avenue (one block from the Coney Island-Stillwell Ave subway terminal), to sign in and get your volunteer assignment.  Can’t wait to see you there, and thanks!

If you plan on volunteering, we suggest that you:

  • Dress warmly, wear sturdy footwear or boots, and bring work gloves.
  • If you can, bring your own flashlight (with extra batteries); a backpack; clean up tools such as a shovel, outdoor broom, contractor bags, etc; and snacks & water for yourself for the day.

Donation requests for distribution to residents:

  • School supplies
  • Blankets
  • Canned or nonperishable goods
  • Individually wrapped sandwiches
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toilet paper
  • Heavy duty contractor trash bags

Please note that bathroom access on site will be very limited.  Check MTA’s website for the easiest route to get there.

Hurricane Sandy Volunteer Project: Help Manhattan Youth Rebuild

7 Nov

Manhattan Youth, located in Downtown Manhattan, has been helping children, families, adults and seniors for 26 years. Their Downtown Community Center, the heart and nerve center of Manhattan Youth, suffered catastrophic flood damage during Hurricane Sandy. Twenty feet of salt water had to be pumped out of their Arts and Activity level, which also houses their boilers, pumps and pool equipment. The space is now being gutted to prepare for rebuilding.

The pool level and street level also have a lot of damage and will require some demolition and rebuilding of floors and walls, plus the ceiling on the pool deck. Preliminary rebuilding estimates range from an optimistic $1.3 million to $2.5 million or more.

How you Can Help

Volunteer: Join their bucket brigade on Sunday, November 11th, as they pass trash up the stairs. They have to clean out activity rooms, computer rooms, sheetrock walls, art rooms and more before rebuilding. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and able to lift 35 pounds. Bring gloves, a hat, appropriate shoes or boots and old clothes – it is dirty. They’ll provide dust masks. If you plan to attend please be on time for coordination purposes. RSVP on EVENTBRITE BY CLICKING HERE.

Donate: Rebuilding costs are estimated in the millions. Please help by donating through PayPal.

 

Hurricane Sandy Volunteer/Donation Projects: From Gale A. Brewer’s Office

5 Nov

I just received the following email from councilwoman Gale Brewer, and wanted to pass along as it contained a lot of great information about new donation drop-off locations and volunteer opportunities. See below:

Today, Monday, November 5, 2012 West Side institutions are working with former Community Board Chair Mel Wymore to fill a large truck of supplies to go to Staten Island. You could drop off supplies at JCC, 334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76 Street, NY NY up to 10pm on Monday, November 5. Items needed: blankets, toiletries, wipes, flashlights, batteries. No clothes. The truck will leave the West Side on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

On Monday, November 5, 2012…info from the City Council as to where assistance is needed:

Staten Island  Councilmember Oddo and Assemblymember Malliotakis have organized volunteers throughout the weekend.  Today they are at the Staten Island Recreational Association at 599 Fr. Capodanno Blvd. from 9am to dusk and will continue to help clean out homes that have been impacted by the storm. They are in need of cleaning supplies – shovels, rakes, brooms, gloves, garbage bags, masks, toiletries and pharmaceuticals (e.g. Tyelonol, Advil, etc.).

Brooklyn Red Hook Councilmember Gonzalez along with a number of local community groups have been organizing volunteers to help residents and local businesses in the Red Hook area.  Volunteers should report to 402 Van Brunt Street, between 10 am – 5 pm.

Coney Island  Councilmember Domenic Recchia is coordinating volunteers, at 2770 West 5th St, Room 4C (nearest open F Train stop is Avenue X), and they will send you to wherever you are needed most.

Park Slope The Park Slope Armory shelter (361 15th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues) continues to need volunteers who can work a 12-hour shift, starting at 8 AM or 8 PM daily. You need to be comfortable working with the elderly, disabled, and other people with special needs and you cannot bring your children. If they have too many volunteers, you may be turned away, so be prepared for that. The John Jay High School shelter (237 7th Avenue, between 4th & 5th Streets) also continues to need day, evening, and overnight volunteers. You need to be able to dedicate at least 6-8 hours and cannot bring your children.

-From Brad Hoylman: Many of my neighbors are still without heat, hot water or plumbing. In coordination with the offices of our local elected officials and the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, we are seeking three (3) shifts of volunteers to go door-to-door in Fulton Houses and Westbeth to assist residents today, Monday, November 5.  How you can help: Show up at either 12 p.m. or 3 p.m. at the Fulton Center Auditorium (119 9th Ave between 17th and 18th Streets) to go door-to-door at Fulton Houses to assess residents’ needs. OR  Show up at 4 p.m. at Westbeth (55 Bethune Street Washington and West Streets) to help carry water and other supplies to residents. hoylmanforsenate@gmail.com

 Thank you, Gale A. Brewer!