As the holiday season approaches, our hearts go out to all those affected by Hurricane Sandy and we are committed to helping rebuild and recover from this devastating storm. At the request of member club AWC Antwerp, the FAWCO Board has initiated the FAWCO Sandy Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). Donations to the fund will go to a grass-roots organization named CAAAV. In the hard-hit Lower East Side/Chinatown area, CAAAV has been providing services, materials, and emergency assistance to residents all across the neighborhood. AWC Antwerp's FAWCO Rep Rozanne Vanrie has a personal connection with CAAAV and spoke with Executive Director, Helena Wong, who is extremely grateful for any assistance to be given to this 501 c3 organization. See this short news clip that might give some additional insight into this charity.
Please click on the PayPal button on the FAWCO homepage (www.fawco.org) to donate and put "Sandy DRF" in the comments line. Any little bit will help. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
OR CLICK HERE FOR OTHER WAYS TO DONATE.
As of November 12 they do still not have electricity or other services. They are stilI providing services to the people of the lower East side China town area. Getting information to the population is a priority for the organization. Rebuilding is ongoing and will continue to be the ongoing issue. There is a concern that the areas like Wall Street and Stock exchange are a priority instead of the people's area.
FEEMA has been to the area and is providing some support and RED CROSS has said that they will try to coordinate some of the efforts. She feels that 'it is not only building up again but building smart and encouraging dialogue and thinking about the future with the City Officials' and 'also talking about how the climate changes are affecting us is also crucial'
She feels that there are several immediate things that are necessary:
1. distribution site for donations and sending things to the outer boroughs
2. running relief efforts for public assistance through the legal clinics
3. playing an advocate role for the residents of these hard hit areas
She would be most happy to discuss further with any FAWCO member to discuss their efforts