New York, U.S.A. — New York Sports Clubs (NYSC) announced on December 18, a contribution of more than $34,000 to New York Cares—the city’s largest volunteer organization – to support the nonprofit’s ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief and rebuilding efforts across the tri-state region.

As part of the New York Sports Clubs’ “Work Out to Help Out” Thanksgiving fundraiser, 100 percent of the sales from special three-day guest passes and new member fees were donated directly to New York Cares’ Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

“As a company with deep roots in the tri-state region, we’ve come to understand the immense level of support that those affected by Hurricane Sandy need,” said Bob Giardina, CEO of New York Sports Clubs and Town Sports International. “Deploying thousands of local volunteers into the hardest hit neighborhoods, New York Cares has been on the frontline of disaster relief and we are proud to contribute to their ongoing commitment to restore normalcy to our community.”

In addition, New Sports Clubs has donated memberships to Americorp and Team Rubicon volunteers who are assisting in the rebuilding efforts in the Rockaways and other neighborhoods devastated by the storm.

For more information about New York Cares and their ongoing Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, please visit NYCares.org.

About New York Cares

New York Cares is New York City’s largest volunteer organization. New York Cares runs vital programs for 1,300 nonprofits, public schools, and city agencies to help people in need throughout the five boroughs, and does so at no cost to the recipient organizations. Since 1987, New York Cares has made it easy for all New Yorkers to work together to strengthen the city; last year, we provided critical services to 400,000 at-risk New Yorkers. For more information, visit nycares.org.

Image Courtesy :  Meyer Academy

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Washington, U.S.A. — The American Red Cross is providing critical help to thousands of people affected by the raging wildfires in the west and the massive flooding in Florida from Tropical Depression Debby.

Ten Red Cross shelters were open June 27 Tuesday night in Colorado, Utah and Montana where several wildfires are burning out of control. In Colorado, nearly 300 trained Red Cross disaster workers are supporting relief efforts where the fires are threatening as many as 20,000 homes.

Nearly 200 Red Cross disaster workers are helping in Florida, where 11 shelters were open overnight. Tropical Depression Debby has dumped as much as ten inches of rain on most of the state, with some areas getting up to 25 inches of rain. Truckloads of additional relief supplies are on the way to Florida and 20 response vehicles are ready to start distributing items to help as the clean-up begins there.

Red Cross workers have served more than 32,000 meals and snacks to people affected by the wildfires and flooding, have made almost 3,300 health and mental health contacts, and distributed more than 4,300 relief items.

“Thousands have been impacted by these disasters and the Red Cross is giving them a safe place to stay, food to eat and a shoulder to lean on,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services. “We are expanding our efforts to help the growing number of people affected by the fires in the west and are ready to distribute the tools and other resources people will need to begin the clean-up in Florida as the flood waters recede.”

The American Red Cross Disaster Relief announced that those who want to help can make a donation to support them by visiting www.redcross.org or calling  1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

People who have been forced to evacuate can find out where Red Cross shelters are open by going to www.redcross.org or accessing the free Red Cross phone app. Both are refreshed with updated information every 30 minutes. Residents can also monitor local media—radio, newspaper and television—to find out where local shelters are located.

The Red Cross Safe and Well website is also available. People affected by the fires and flooding can access the site and let loved ones know where they are. There are several ways to register on Safe and Well, or search for a loved one. From a computer, visit redcross.org; from a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell or call  1-800-RED CROSS ( 1-800-733-2767) to be connected with one’s local Red Cross chapter.

Image Courtesy of  Daniel Cima/American Red Cross

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Rep. Ron Paul from Texas is standing behind his controversial remarks about the hurricane. The Republican presidential hopeful stated that the federal government should not be a part of disaster relief, even as Hurricane Irene was bearing down on New York City.

Paul told NBC News on Friday that there was nothing “magic” about the Federal Emergency Disaster Agency (FEMA), which has been coordinating the response to Hurricane Irene.”We should be like 1900, we should be like 1940, 1950, 1960,” said the Texas congressman during a stop in New Hampshire. He regarded FEMA as a “great contribution to deficit financing.”

“We should be coordinated, but coordinated voluntarily with the states,” Paul explained. “A state can decide. We don’t need somebody in Washington.”

On Sunday, Paul appeared on “Fox News Sunday” and stood behind his remarks. “It’s a system of bureaucratic central-economic planning, which is a fallacy that is deeply flawed. So no, you don’t get rid of something like that in one day,” he said.

“I propose that we save a billion from the overseas war mongering, bring half that home and put it against the deficit, and yes, tide people over until we come to our senses and realize that FEMA has been around since 1978. It has one of the worst reputations for a bureaucracy ever,” added Paul, arguing that federal money often goes to contractors instead of disaster victims.

Paul stated during the interview that he would vote against any request for additional money for FEMA, if the Obama administration asks for an emergency funding bill. He said it was time citizens “transition out of the dependency on the federal government.”

“Where would the money come from?” he responded. “We don’t have any money. What are you going to do? Go hat in hand to China and borrow the money? … The whole idea of FEMA is a gross distortion of insurance.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) argued last week that any potential emergency funding for natural disasters must be offset by spending cuts elsewhere, although not cuts to his salary of course. His remarks have been criticized by members of both parties.

Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com

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