Reported previously of efforts by the Roosevelt Island Residents Association ( RIRA ) and Roosevelt Island’s NY State Senator Jose Serrano to help after Hurricane Sandy by donating and serving hot meals to those in need. Last Saturday a busload

Image From Romano Reid of Roosevelt Island residents together with staff from Senator Serrano’s office went to Howard Beach in Queens. Senator Serrano’s staffer Justin Rush reports on what happened:

Senator Serrano and the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA)

RIRA’s Romano Reid And Ellen Polivy with Cordell Reid

sponsored a Hurricane Sandy Relief event today in Howard Beach. The event was sparked by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, who represents sections of Queens, identifying his district as one hit particularly hard by the storm. In response, a call for volunteers was issued by Senator Serrano and RIRA; the result leading to the donation and distribution of hot meals to those in need at the West Hamilton Beach Firehouse in Howard Beach.

Image From Romano Reid

It is very important that when New Yorkers are in need, fellow New Yorkers are ready and willing to help, said Senator Serrano. Though Hurricane Sandy occurred over a month ago, there are still people suffering and unable to receive hot meals and other resources.

Today we stand with members of the Howard Beach community to help heal and rebuild.

Image From Romano Reid

Many thanks to Ellen Polivy, President of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, for helping coordinate the event, as well as all other volunteers for your time and efforts, continued Serrano.

Image From Romano Reid

By the end of the day 68 people received a hot meal from the Roosevelt Island volunteers and some families and volunteer firemen had enough leftovers to last a few days RIRA’s Romano Reid, an organizer of the Roosevelt Island/Howard Beach relief effort, adds:

I would like to acknowledge all the residents of the Island who have taken time out of their schedules to either cook a pan of hot food or contributed countless hours in volunteering for this Hurricane relief effort in Howard Beach. I would like to also personally thank the office of Senator Jose M. Serrano for assisting residents of Roosevelt Island in spearheading this event.”We had a ball”…

Thanks To the Staff Of Senator Serrano:

Gregory Meyer
Justin Rush

and Special Thanks to John Catsimatidis (Owner of Roosevelt Island’s Gristides Mega Food store)

Also, Extended Thanks to :

Laila Amatullah
Ellen Polivy,
Barbara Allen
Ethel Romm
Julie Polermo
Julina Hooks
Erin Feeley Nahem
Juyana Armstrong
Sharon pope
Lynn Shinozaki
Francesca Whittaker
Maureen Leong

PS: I hope to work with our community Elected officials to coordinate another event at some point in the very near future.