Responding to Hurricane Sandy

This email was sent to the Moravian College Community on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

 

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

     As we begin to get back into our routines after Hurricane Sandy, it is important to remember those who may still need assistance after the devastating storm. The Center for Leadership and Service will do our best to coordinate the College community’s response to our friends, families, and neighbors affected by Hurricane Sandy. In collaboration with the Seminary, the Religious Life office, and the President’s office, we are sharing the information below about how you might be able to assist those in need in the coming days, weeks, and months.

     If you are interested in receiving further updates about the College’s efforts to provide support to those affected by Hurricane Sandy, please email Mickey Matuczinski to be added to a distribution list. We will send periodic updates to those that sign-up about specific volunteer opportunities related to Hurricane Sandy.

          On Saturday, November 17, we are seeking volunteers to travel to Staten Island (Midland Beach area) and to provide support at a pre-Thanksgiving meal for those in need of a hot meal. Our friends at Vanderbilt Avenue Moravian Church have expressed their desire to host a Moravian College team of volunteers. We will depart campus around 8am and return to campus on the same day around 10pm. Please email Nicole Nugent to sign-up. Spots will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Volunteers will receive a tour of the devastated area and prepare, serve, and clean-up after the meal. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join the team. If you cannot join us on November 17, but may be able to join us at another date, please contact Mickey Matuczinski to receive Hurricane Sandy relief effort updates.

          In our local community, we have been in touch with several organizations that are in need of volunteer or other support after Hurricane Sandy.

o New Bethany Ministries-As a result of the storm, food deliveries were delayed or canceled and the food pantry could use additional donations. As the weather turns cold and the holidays are arriving, the pantry could use items such as peanut butter, canned soup, canned tuna, granola bars, cereal, diapers, and baby food (no jars, please). Donations can be made directly to New Bethany Ministries (Southside of Bethlehem) or if you need assistance delivering your donation, please contact student Margaret DeOliveira ’13. If you are interested in volunteering at New Bethany, you may also contact Margaret DeOliveira.

o United Way of the Lehigh Valley-This is the final week to donate through the Moravian College’s United Way Campaign by clicking here. Additionally, donations are being accepted here for relief efforts in twelve states that FEMA has declared disaster areas.

o Miller Keystone Blood Bank continues to accept blood donations at their Bethlehem location. Many blood drives were canceled as a result of Hurricane Sandy, but the need for blood donations did not decrease.

o Local animal shelters may be in need of additional volunteers to assist in their efforts. Contact your local shelter to see how you can assist displaced animals.

      We will continue to work with local efforts in PA, NJ, and NY regarding volunteer opportunities and hope to have multiple opportunities to serve in the spring semester. We hope to offer additional volunteer opportunities in the Midland Beach Area of Staten Island in the spring.

          If you are connected with a local organization that is aiding in relief efforts, please let us know what information we can pass along to those interested in helping. Please send any information to Nicole Nugent, Coordinator of Community Service.

      Again, if you are interested in learning more about future College-wide efforts to support those affected by Hurricane Sandy, please email Mickey Matuczinski to sign-up for future communications.

 Thank you,

 Katie Dantsin and Nicole Nugent

Katie L. Dantsin, M.Ed.
Director of Leadership Development
Moravian College
Center for Leadership and Service, HUB
1200 Main Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018610-861-1498 phone
610-861-1580 fax

www.moravian.edu/leadership