Black Friday has most New Yorkers rushing out to get deals but for Hurricane Sandy victims, they're concentrating on putting their lives back together.
Aiman Youssef said he wasn't concerned about finding Black Friday bargains. He's concerned about finding a place to live.
"I think a lot of people didn't go out on Black Friday because it's a sad day, but instead came here to help the community," said Youssef.
Youssef, like so many others on Staten Island, lost everything during Hurricane Sandy. His home along Midland Avenue will have to be torn down. Youssef has been sleeping under a tent outside his home amongst the piles of donated clothing.
"Day-by-day we are trying to repair our lives. We don't care about Black Friday – we care about living," said Youssef.
Youssef had a business he operated from home but he says his computers and records were wiped out during the storm.
Now his work with the Midland Avenue Neighborhood Relief, the group he helped form after Sandy is a full time job.
Day and night, he helps coordinate the volunteer effort while taking donations from people like Frank Romano, who skipped the mall today so he could help instead.
"We can go to the mall any other time," said Romano. "There's always other days, there's nothing that special that going to do anything for anybody else."
By Aiman's count, 4500 people came here Thursday to help out and serve Thanksgiving meals.
Thankful, not for new TV's of DVD players – but for each other.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:46:33 GMT
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:56:27 GMT
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:38 PM EDT2013-06-15 00:38:50 GMT
Superstorm Sandy victims in New Jersey who are weighing whether to rebuild or relocate will soon get more information that should help them decide what to do.
Superstorm Sandy victims in New Jersey who are weighing whether to rebuild or relocate will soon get more information that should help them decide what to do.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 8:19 AM EDT2013-06-12 12:19:16 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing removable flood walls for much of lower Manhattan as part of a nearly $20 billion plan to protect New York City from storms and global warming.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing removable flood walls for much of lower Manhattan as part of a nearly $20 billion plan to protect New York City from storms and global warming.
Friday, May 3 2013 6:35 PM EDT2013-05-03 22:35:57 GMT
In the six months since Superstorm Sandy the ASPCA has been patching up Cairo, a pit bull terrier mix, but he is still looking for a home. He was about five months old when he was found abandoned in Brooklyn
In the six months since Superstorm Sandy the ASPCA has been patching up Cairo, a pit bull terrier mix, but he is still looking for a home. He was about five months old when he was found abandoned in Brooklyn
Tuesday, April 30 2013 10:03 PM EDT2013-05-01 02:03:55 GMT
Ever since Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the Jersey shore last October, officials have planned for a new system of protective sand dunes along the entirety of the 127-mile coast.
Ever since Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the Jersey shore last October, officials have planned for a new system of protective sand dunes along the entirety of the 127-mile coast.
