To help finance the UJA-Federation of New York effort, they opened the ‘Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund’. 100% of all the donations will be used for aid.

By Jerry W. Levin, Alisa R. Doctoroff, and John S. Ruskay

As we hear wrenching firsthand accounts from those experiencing the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, it is clear that the recovery will be long and challenging. Millions of lives have been affected in our region. The emotional and economic impact, especially on the isolated elderly and the poor, is acute and will remain so for a long time.

Hurricane Sandy caused massive destruction to homes in Brooklyn and other areas of the New York region. -Photo: UJA-FNY website

UJA-Federation is committed to ensuring that our front-line network agencies, as well as synagogues, will have the resources required to respond to the most devastating natural disaster to have ever struck the New York area.

Starting this morning, we are making up to $10 million available for relief efforts. The funds will be provided to UJA-Federation’s network agencies and synagogues so they are able to respond to urgent needs in the days and weeks ahead. UJA-Federation’s board of directors unanimously approved this initiative in a special session Sunday night.

The generosity of our donors and the strength of UJA-Federation’s network of agencies have repeatedly allowed UJA-Federation to respond effectively to a crisis. Time and again — such as post 9/11 and the creation of Connect to Care following the 2008 economic recession — UJA-Federation has shown its ability to act swiftly and boldly. The funds authorized on Sunday evening will provide for emergency food, temporary housing, financial counseling, emergency cash assistance, and more. A senior-level committee will oversee the distribution.

To help finance our relief effort, we have opened the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. One hundred percent of all donations will be used for aid.

For those who want to help in other ways, we are coordinating dozens of volunteer opportunities, including distributing supplies to frail seniors in Coney Island, collecting for food pantries on Staten Island, and checking on seniors on Long Island.

Together, we will stand strong and help our neighborhoods and communities recover and rebuild.

Jerry W. Levin is president of UJA-Federation of New York, Alisa R. Doctoroff is chair of the board, and John S. Ruskay is executive vice president and CEO.

View original  UJA-Federation of New York web-page publication at: http://www.ujafedny.org/stories/view/uja-federation-makes-10-million-available-for-hurricane-relief/