Where to start after Hurricane Sandy? There is so much need, so much clean-up to undertake.
Many are organizing relief efforts in South Brooklyn to help those who are in need. More are willing and able to donate food, supplies and/or a few hours to help our neighbors in storm ravaged Red Hook and Gowanus.

Below are just some of the efforts. I will be adding to these fundraiser/ relief events. So keep on checking.

UPDATED LIST

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

The Carroll Gardens library will be a drop off point for supplies for our most affected neighborhoods beginning tomorrow through November 23. Needed items:

Bottled Water
Non-Perishable Foods (baby formula, canned foods)
Flashlights
Batteries of all sizes

New blankets (comforters/sleeping bags)
New towels and wash cloths
New unopened packages of socks, thermals & underwear
Hygiene Products (baby wipes, diapers, tampons & sanitary napkins)
Toiletries (deodorant, disposable wipes, razors, shaving cream soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, antibacterial hand sanitizer)
Contractor garbage bags & heavy-duty extension cords
Cleaning supplies (mops, brooms, wipes, sprays, gloves)

As part of the Brooklyn community, we are continuing our efforts to collect and donate supplies for our most affected neighborhoods in Coney Island and Red Hook.

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

Make your money go twice as far:

DealNews to Matching Hurricane Donations

As you know, Hurricane Sandy has devastated the Eastern seaboard of the United States. Over 80 are dead, reports The New York Times. Millions have been affected by flooding, power loss, high winds, and more.

What you may not know is that many members of the dealnews team are located in the Greater New York region. In fact, dealnews has an office in DUMBO, Brooklyn, which was heavily flooded by the hurricane. Fortunately, every member of our team is safe and sound, although some are still without power or Internet access.

While we're doing everything we can for our team, the American Red Cross is working to serve the millions of other people who are affected. That's why I'm asking you to donate to the Red Cross' Disaster Relief Fund. I know many people who work for the Red Cross. They're committed to helping people when their need is greatest. I implore you to help them do their vital work.

For every dollar you donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, dealnews will match 100 percent, up to $50,000. Our goal is to raise a total of $100,000: $50,000 from our wonderful readers and $50,000 from us.

Here’s how it works:
Make a donation online at American Red Cross.
Keep your confirmation email and forward it to sandyrelief@dealnews.com. (As always, dealnews respects and protects your privacy.)
We’ll match 100 percent of your donation until we hit our $50,000 limit.
Help us spread the news via Facebook, Twitter, email, or however you see fit.Please note that we’re only matching donations from today, November 2, 2012, until November 14, 2012, to the American Red Cross. If you’ve made a previous donation to ARC, or prefer to donate to a different organization, I applaud you. But our matching donation is an attempt to encourage those who haven't made a donation yet, or to encourage those who've already given to "double their money" if they give more.

We've done disaster relief fundraisers from time to time. Even if you donated then, I'm asking a favor from you: if we've ever helped you save money, please give a little bit of it back. On behalf of everyone here at dealnews, I sincerely thank you for your contribution.

For more info, go here.

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

Triomph Fitness, Health, and Wellness is coordinating goods and food deliveries to New Yorkers, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Here is the information:
If you live in the Gowanus, Park Slope, or BoCoCa areas, we invite you to drop off the goods listed below for relief efforts:
Warm winter clothing, in good condition (hats, sweaters, hand warmers)
Work gloves, batteries, flashlights, lighting solutions
Non-perishable foods
Moist towelettes, cleaning/baby wipes (for bathing)
Cleaning products, sprays
Toiletry/personal hygiene items
Hand sanitizer

If you're not sure what is needed, simply ask yourself what your personal needs would be in this situation.

New York Cares has partnered us with volunteer drivers and trucking companies, who will then pick up and distribute all goods.

We will be accepting your donations at Triomph - 540 President Street Suite 1F, Brooklyn, NY 11215. Donations may be dropped off between the hours of 7a.m.- 8p.m. M-F, and 10a.m.- 4p.m. Sat & Sun. More details (and ways you can participate) can be found on our website's Brooklyn Bridged page.

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

The Cobble Hill Think Tank is collecting…"A Hill of Beans" for our neighbors in Red Hook

Please donate:
- cans of beans
- bags of dried beans
- coffee beans (ground)
And also
- bags of rice
- canned fruits and vegetables
- blankets, coats, warm clothes
Bring your donations to The Cobble Hill Think Tank,
274 Court Street (across from the Cobble Hill Cinema)
All donations will be distributed to the Red Hook Initiative, www.rhicenter.org
It’s not enough, but it's a start.

UPDATE: Cobble Hill Think Tank made its first delivery to the Rockaways yesterday. They will continue to collect during the next two weeks, so please donate.

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

Tammy of Orange You Glad In organizing a fundraiser for the Food Bank. She writes:
We are planning a fundraiser at OYG for the Food Bank. Actually, we were planning this prior to Sandy and now we are trying to double our efforts and goals. Basically we are having a one day draw-a-ton on Friday November 16th. In exchange for donations we are going to have a roster of nyc based artists creating drawings (that we'll then send out to the donators).
We are hoping to raise $4k (if not more).
Anyway, I wanted to reach out to you to see if you could post a little something about the fundraiser. We'll be taking donations up until the 16th. There is a bit more info on this site. Donations go directly to the food bank.
We are also looking to fill a few seats with local artists who might want to stop by for the day and donate their talents.
For all information, click here: http://draw.orangeyouglad.com

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡