Long Island Youth Step Up during the Sandy Relief Effort

Students from Central Islip High School

When American Red Cross youth volunteers on Long Island saw how Hurricane Sandy affected their communities, they were eager to contribute to the relief effort.

After Red Cross disaster volunteers received requests for school supplies in disaster impacted areas, a request went out to Red Cross High School Clubs and other youth organizations that had expressed interest in helping neighbors affected by the storm. Would they please host a school supplies drive?  

Three groups stepped up to the plate: the Central Islip High School Red Cross Club, the W.T. Clarke High School Red Cross Club, and the Howitt Middle School National Junior Honor Society. Youth volunteers from these groups collected backpacks filled with supplies—notebooks, pens, rulers, and protractors—to help children in communities that no longer had even these basic materials.

The supplies were delivered to a Disaster Recovery Center in Mastic Beach, under the guidance of Mayor Bill Biondi. They will be distributed to school children in the Mastic Beach school district on the south shore of Long Island. 

Students from W.T.Clarke High School

“We thank these groups for coming together to help their peers during this time of need,” said Doha Ali, Red Cross Volunteer & Youth Services Associate. “The families and children the youth groups helped are truly thankful for their support.”