Sandy - New Jersey, June,2013 - 4

      Last week's trip included working at 3 separate properties in 3 days. All the work was similar- drywalling (at varying stages). The types of houses varied from a small beach bungalow to a sizable residence on a lagoon. Regardless of the type or size of the property- drywalling is all very much the same. It was probably the most challenging trip weather-wise thus far- (90+ degree weather for all 3 days) but it did help being sunny, at least.

      The more we do these projects the more apparent it becomes that it's not about the type or the amount of work we do, but it's more about the people we are there to help. One enlightening "for instance" was when the homeowners visited the property on the final day. Before seeing any of the work we had accomplished in the 3 days, we heard them say as they approached "Oh great- people are here!". That tells us not only that they are not there to inspect or approve our work, rather it shows they haven't had much help since the storm (which happened some 8 months ago now) and they are overjoyed simply at the sight of people showing up to assist. That's the most rewarding part of this type of work.

Route 35 in Ortley Beach: October 2012

Route 35 in Ortley Beach:  June 2013

 

Sandy - New Jersey - June, 2013-3

We have a trip back to the Jersey shore planned for 3 days next week . Similar to last trip, we already have scheduled sites and work descriptions (tape and mudding at two houses with newly hung drywall). This relatively small bit of information is very helpful in preparation, both mentally and physically, knowing what tools to bring and how to prepare. It has become apparent that being prepared for specific jobs is instrumental in completing the assigned tasks efficiently, quickly and thoroughly. There are no scheduled trips for our group in July, so we are hoping to have a successful trip before the hiatus. Below is an example of a home being raised to comply with the new flood requirements.

"House-Jacking" - An increasingly common sight in New Jersey shore point communities.

Sandy - New Jersey - June, 2013-2

    Yesterday, we finished 3 days of disaster relief at the Jersey Shore. Having been there only in the off-season before, the post-Memorial Day vibe is a little more lively. I'm sure vacation season and the warm, sunny weather helps with that too. We had a full schedule for the 3 days, completing tasks at 4 different houses.

    It was our first exposure to 'shore point' locations, but all the homes we worked on were being restored as at least temporary primary residences for their owners. However, it does bring up the dilemma of working on second homes. One way to look at it is to consider that we are there to help the community at-large and not simply the owners of the homes we are restoring. Meeting the owners and hearing their personal stories is a very big part of our work, and an inspiration for our group. Without the backstory we are simply subcontractors on a construction site, and that is missing the purpose of the mission. Thankfully, that has not happened thus far. As a group, we have made a personal connection with every one of the homeowners we have worked for since December, which numbers in double digits at this point.

   In contrast to the damage on Staten Island, the beachfront homes in New Jersey have alot more hurricane (wind) damage as opposed to flooding. The damage is sporadic, depending on where the dunes were breached by the storm surge. Inland, however, most of the damage to homes is more uniform, mostly from flooding or damage caused by fallen trees.

   All things considered, so far our group has had successful trips despite many chances of failure. There have been multiple 'close calls' due mostly to mis-communication, broken promises, and non-communication. Persistence, determination and 'thinking on-the-fly' have been the keys to successful trips. I'll put it this way, I have not yet once volunteered where I wasn't completely exhausted at the end of each day.

Sandy - New Jersey - June, 2013-1

Tomorrow is the first day of a 3-day trip to Manasquan, NJ. A full three days has already been planned out, which is new to the process. Having worked together for a number of months now, it is easier to predict what our group can accomplish in 3 days. The tricky part with this trip is that we are at a different site each day, preventing 'spill over' of tasks from one day to the next, along with having each site cleared and truck completely packed at the end of the day. It seems like it will be a more efficient way to work, and we can probably accomplish more even with the 'set-up' and 'break-down' time on each day.

Damage on the Point Pleasant boardwalk from Superstorm Sandy.

Sandy - Staten Island Day Trip, May 2013 - 2

Yesterday, we spent a day working at the house on Staten Island we volunteered at earlier in the month. The travel time involved with a day trip and material runs widdles down the actual work hours quite a bit. Our objective was pretty simple: set up and fill two 2'x4' flower boxes. Planting the boxes was the fun part, prepping the area was the tougher portion of the task. With the survivor's guidance we rummaged over several damaged items, once hoped to be salvageable, realizing only a handful of items could possibly be kept. This was a much needed task to help restore her once magnificent front yard and property, and something that she would most likely not undertake without our coaxing. The new planters are a nice addition and a colorful band-aid to the front yard, but even more of a poignant symbol of the homeowner moving forward after the storm.

Superstorm Sandy : A Live Town Hall

A fairly comprehensive live town hall meeting was held last night in two locations (Monmouth College and NYC). The 2 hour program addressed a broad range of questions regarding superstorm Sandy and the recovery effort.


Click here to watch the entire broadcast:
http://watch.thirteen.org/video/2365013063


One statistic, which came up on the program, which I found to be very revealing is the number of homes severely or completely destroyed by the storm. The estimated number of houses is 365,000... in New Jersey ALONE. I had heard (and blogged) a stat previously of 10,000 homes (for both NJ & NY) ... BIG difference!
I'm sure all the numbers will become clearer as the smoke (and sand) clears in months to come. The one thing that is certain after watching the program last night is Sandy was a 'once in a lifetime' and powerful storm, but nothing compared to the determination and will of the people it has affected.

Sandy - Staten Island Day Trip, May 2013 - 1

We returned for a day trip to Staten Island to check up on a Sandy survivor, who's home we worked on in December. Almost all of the debris from homes on the street that were completely destroyed in the storm has been removed. With the debris removed you begin to realize the appeal of this scenic place. Standing among the reeds and exposed to the ocean wildlife it is hard to believe you are actually standing in one of the five boroughs of New York City. The story on the inside of the home is quite different though. The homeowner has been living in the deconstructed home for the past two months. Other options for living just have not panned out and this is her only alternative. We were there to help out with a few necessities and a plumber was also on site installing a toilet and tub, which she had been without. The heater is functioning but with walls like swiss cheese, it is doing little more than circulating the air. The several pets living in the home contribute to the poor air quality as well. It was a successful day work-wise. We accomplished everything we set out to do including: installing a window air conditioner, a new 'kitchen' sink, patching and replacing some exterior sheathing with plywood, installing a filter in the heater, and installing a lock for the exterior basement door. As soon as we arrived, we noticed a lot of other 'livable' items that needed to be done. Besides having a small group, and little time, any work being done to the home is in question due to the potential buyout in her area. Her best course of action is to leave, but right now there are no real options for her. If a buyout happens it will not be realized soon, so it is something that should not be a deciding factor for moving. The pets, while being great companions are a roadblock for relocation. 'Where' and 'When' are very big question marks in her life right now.

Sandy - New Jersey, April 2013 - 3

So, as we have had a few days to revive from our last trip to NJ, I am reflecting upon the work we had accomplished last week. So far with all of our trips, the weather has been favorable. We have been fortunate, considering working in the winter and spring months to not have been snowed, rained or frozen -out of working, not even for 1 day. Actually, the weather could be described as very nice for all four trips so far.

Last week we concentrated on one home that had flooding on the first floor. The minor repairs to the sub floor were determined to be part of the new floor installation. This left us to focus strictly on installing new wall insulation and drywall in the kitchen, dining room and living room (about 500 SF of living space). With some of the drywall already installed, this project turned out to be just about the right size for 3 days for 6 workers with our experience level. Since almost everyone had worked together before, we hit the ground running in terms of delegating tasks. Most of the the work was similar but it seemed everyone had a good idea of where to go and what to do and what job suited them the best.

Our homeowner is an animal lover, which became obvious from the population of common yard animals frequenting her back yard. She provides a steady supply of food (mostly peanuts) for the multitude of squirrels (who have names) and whatever other types of critters might show up. I even witnessed one squirrel climb up her leg and eat a peanut right out of her hand!

After our three 8 hours days of work were completed, it is satisfying to reflect on what we have accomplished. An importatnt part of volunteering is getting the homeowner excited about fixing what's been broken and moving on. Some need it more than others, but all of them, so far, are noticebly in better spirits by the end of the third day that our group is on site. The discussions are more about 'what will happen' rather than 'what has happened', a big step in making things better.

Sandy - New Jersey, April 2013 - 2

 Yesterday we completed a 3 day trip to Manasquan NJ. It was my first trip to the Jersey shore since the storm hit. From the drive to and in the neighborhood of our work site, there is little visual evidence of major damage. Upon closer inspection, the number of homes with dumpsters in the driveway and the amount of large recently cut tree stumps start to add up. It then dawns on you how far the homes are from the ocean (1/4 mile or so) and it is now 6 months since the storm hit. In that context you can begin to understand the enormity of Sandy’s damage. I’ve heard some statistics, (which would require verification) regarding the storm’s damage: 10,000 homes have been completely destroyed or have major damage and an estimated 700,000 vehicles were destroyed. Again I am not sure about these numbers but it does start to put it into perspective.

Over the past 4 months I have personally been involved in the rehab of a total of about 7 homes. Typical missions last 3 days, for our group size of 4-10 people. We can maybe restore one home about 20% of the total amount of work that needs to be completed to move back in. So in that scenario it would take our group 5 trips to restore one home (out of 10,000). Obviously, things are not that simply quantatative, but it does bring up the question 'why do we go if we are barely making a dent in the entire recovery process?' This is a question that is easily answered by noticing the expression on the survivors' faces when a volunteer group comes to help. When a volunteer group arrives the survivors are unavoidably and immediately reminded of the enormity of what has happened to them and are overwhelmingly appreciative of the effort being made by the volunteers. The physical repairs of a property are a distant second to the emotional healing the survivors need and volunteers help to provide simply by their presence. Without the verbal expression, it is quite evident that the survivors are simply grateful that someone out there, usually complete strangers, care about them and that is the reason more than anything that is most valuable about volunteering.

Sandy - New Jersey, April 2013 - 1

During my last entry ... it was in the 20s and snowing ... today its in the 80s and sunny... its ALL good! Well, through the course of the 3-1/2 months I have have been involved with disaster relief, one thing can be said that is certain, and that is, 'nothing is certain'. One constant is unpredictability, it all goes to the old saying: "if you want to make God laugh - tell Him what you are doing tomorrow!" Our scheduled trip for April is still a 'go' but some variables have changed. Without getting into them, the one thing I am taking from all this is to be prepared for everything. Actually, I am finding that part of the appeal of disaster relief is it's unpredictability. It is good to have some foresight and an assemblance of a plan, but you have to be ready to make do with what you got! McGuyver would love disaster relief and probably volunteered a few times. One thing that is a fairly safe bet, this next trip will be warmer, other than that- it's anyone's guess. For more insight into our work goto: http://singonesong.wordpress.com/ 

New Destination

Hello on a snowy~? March 25th morning!
Due to changes beyond our group's control, the new focus of the Sandy relief effort for our group has changed to the Jersey shore. From phone calling, scouting trips and networking by our group's leaders, our new destination is now in Manasquan, NJ (near Tom's River). I, having not yet been there, do not have a personal account of the damage or any description of the potential type of work we will be doing in this area. Although, some things can be assumed- a lot of physical labor, getting pretty dirty, and hopefully helping people recover from the devastation. Our next trip is at the end of April.

Hurricane Relief Buyout

Hurricane Sandy relief has met a roadblock on Staten Island. A proposed buyout for 165 homes in the Oakwood Beach section, previously merely a rumor has recently gained momentum. This, in effect, will cease any construction and demolition efforts already underway and will prevent any planning for relief efforts on the island, at least for our group. However, it does not stop our effort as a whole. Scouting trips for disaster relief along the Jersey shore are currently underway and new locations are in the works...more to come...stay tuned.

Staten Island - February 2013 - 2

We returned from our February trip to Staten Island last night, completing another successful trip. We were able to make good progress on 3 different houses, all with similar scope.

Day 1- Millbank Road & Colony Ave.
Once meeting up at the church, unloading our gear, and receiving our assignment, we headed out to Millbank Road in the New Dorp neighborhood. From the outside, the house looks just like every other damaged property in the area. However, on the inside we were pleasantly surprised to see alot of progress. The owners wisely had taken full advantage of the 'opportunity' put upon them by Sandy. All of the interior framing had been removed and upgraded with a new, more efficient layout (already framed). The owner was very prepared, supplying us with everything we needed, from tools to food and water and even scrap wood with the dimensions written on them! Our tasks were to lay plywood on the floor in the attic for storage and remove the flooring and framing in the side vestibule. We split into 2 groups and were able to finish before the end of the the day and headed to a second address on Colony Ave. The task at this site was to remove the flooring in the kitchen and bathroom. The end of the work day came quickly after just getting started so we planned on being back there at some point over the next 2 days. Back to the church for shower, dinner and sleep.

Day 2 - Colony Ave.
No surprises awaited us this morning since we had been there the day before. We came equipped with a rotary hammer, which makes tile removal alot easier and even a little less messy. This house had the worst concentration of mold I had yet seen, which was hardly shocking but nonetheless a little unsettling. The house is 110 years old and had 5 or 6 layers of flooring in the kitchen. We finished everything that we were scheduled to complete by the end of the day. church- shower- dinner - sleep.

Day 3 - Roma Ave.
This location was back near the New Dorp neighborhood. It seemed not a whole lot of worked had been done to this house since the storm. We were scheduled to take up the tile foor (along with 3 inches of concrete) and the subfloor. The challenge here was all the stuff left on top of the floors that we had to remove and we had no electricity for the rotary hammer. But we had numbers- a total of seven team members were on site for this day. We started on the floor after lunch. Besides being hard work it was tough to see this floor come up because it had been installed just 2 weeks before Sandy hit.
Kind of heartbreaking , but the homeowner was happy to have a floor considering 38 of the 40 houses between his house and the ocean had been completely destroyed by the storm. We departed for home from the site at the end of the day.

When we leave a site it's always intriguing what will happen with the house and how much will get done by the next time we see it. But it's always nice to leave a site content with the work you have completed.
Even though it is now 4 months after the storm, the damage is still 'fresh' in many areas. What is most uplifting is the amazingly determined and positive attitudes and spirits of Sandy's victims.

Please visit the Sing One Song website for more info:

 www.singonesong.org

Staten Island - February 2013 - 1

As we prepare for the next trip, there is much anticipation. Having made two trips already, it does seem by now we should know what to expect, but nothing is certain. The daily routine has been established, and is typical with most disaster relief efforts. Our group leader has taken alot of the preparatory and tool supply upon himself, which makes life much simpler for more people to volunteer. Even though alot of work is 'inside' we do need some help from mother nature and have been pretty fortunate thus far. Here's to three more successful days of volunteer work on Staten Island.

Kissam Ave and Fox Beach Rd

Hey All,

This is the initial entry for a blog to chronicle our volunteer relief efforts for Hurricaine Sandy with the disaster relief organization, the the Sing One Song Project  www.singonesong.org . Most, if not all of this concentrated effort will take place in Staten Island, New York. I was first introduced to the idea of volunteering in Dec 2012, through an announcement at my church. Before I knew it, I was wisked away to sunny and warm (really) Staten Island New York, 'mucking out' and 'tearing down' for three days in mid December. A typical day of volunteering in a disaster relief effort, so far for me has been as follows: up and ready to go by 7:30 AM. 8:00 AM: Depart for the group's assigned house- (GPS has proven to be instrumental). Each house usually has more than one group working on it at a time. Every house is assessed prior to arrival and direction is given for the work to be completed that day. It is usually VERY simple: tear stuff up and throw it out. It doesnt vary too far away from that instruction. This is known as the 'muck out' phase. Staten Island will be in this phase for many months, although some houses have already been completely restored and the owners have returned to live. Depending on the size and need of the house- a group will usually take on one assigned house per day.

The New Dorp Neighborhood on Staten Island

But there isn't much difficulty in finding places that need help, if we finish early. The work day lasts until about 4:00-4:30 PM, which sounds a little early but lunch is quick, down and dirty...literally. Lodging, also is usually less than glamourous. So far, it has been the floor of the church we are based, although an air mattress does do wonders. I have been introduced to some really great people with alot of experience doing this type of work. Also, the church has had several groups scheduled there since November, 2012. It's quite amazing and inspiring to see the amount of people and the distance traveled to help others!

More to come!

For more information please visit the websites:

www.singonesong.org