This week, Long Beach’s Martin Luther King Center received from NYSUT a kind and generous donation of much-needed items to assist Superstorm
Sandy victims.
Roni Nichols Kleinman is my childhood friend who runs Long
Beach’s JCC. I was well aware of the
impact of the storm on her building, with basement-level classrooms filled with
over six feet of ocean water. However,
last week, she urged me to meet her at the MLK, where we met CSEA member James Hodge, who
was organizing the disaster relief efforts.
Not knowing what to anticipate, I traversed the “North Park” streets
filled with pile upon pile of ruined belongings, broken toilets and appliances,
found bereft people walking in the middle of the road, and then finally turned
the corner to find the MLK Center. One
half of this building, mold-ridden and waterlogged, was actively being gutted
by mask-wearing volunteers and the other, cinder-blocked half was organized
into a large central section containing a substantial amount of clothing. Folding
tables placed against walls in the back quarter of the building were designated
for distribution of necessities and available non-perishables. The remnants of
devastation were beyond anything I could have expected. Simple hot meals were provided for these
victims. The volunteers were working
hard, but it was evident that their supply of relief items was sorely limited.
James, who knows Roni, greeted us warmly and then informed
us that the residents of the area who had previously been relocated to shelters
were now returning to mold-damaged homes.
They were having breathing problems because of the mold and the MLK did
not have protective face masks for distribution.
In addition, canned goods and personal hygiene products were
needed.
At that point, I sent out an email to my brothers and
sisters in NYSUT. They certainly came
through. Regional Director John
Coverdale contacted me to let me know that a delivery would be made on Thursday
afternoon. Did I know what to
expect? Not on your life.
I arrived to find a van filled with all that was requested,
plus batteries, flashlights and more.
NYSUT’s Ken Marsh and Gary Brunick pulled the van to the back of the
building and James organized a chain for removal of everything from the
truck. Slowly but surely, the truck was
emptied of its contents and placed in a large pile in the distribution
room. People were working together, from
MLK volunteers, to JCC volunteers, to NYSUT volunteers, in aiding a forgotten
section of the community.
I was unaware that Ken and Gary traveled from Albany until
later and must convey heartfelt thanks for their commitment on behalf of our
fellow man. Having them travel all this
way made me proud of my NYSUT roots, of my brothers and sisters, of our
union. I felt that the van carried not
just two kind NYSUT members; rather, I genuinely felt the power of 600,000 NYSUT
brothers and sisters.
And, when the delivery was over, we went back to our
lives. Soup was provided for victims,
including many children who were brought in out of the cold. James Hodge, CSEA, watched to ensure
that the residents were comfortable and cared for. Roni Kleinman went back to attend to the
needs of children who were without day- or aftercare due to the storm’s
devastation. I moved onto an ED18
meeting, albeit a little late. Ken and
Gary made the trek back to Albany, probably quite exhausted, but I hope richer
from this experience.
Wishing the members of the RVCTA a wonderful Thanksgiving. A special hug for those affected by Superstorm Sandy.
- v.
