Long Island City businesses, individuals and politicians are all coming together to help out neighborhoods that were pummeled by Hurricane Sandy.
LIC Market at 21-52 44th Drive has a growing pile of clothing — especially sweatpants, sweatshirts, socks, coats and underwear — non perishable foods, baby supplies, batteries, flashlights, water and daily newspapers donated from community members who heard about the relief drive through Facebook.
“Water, clothing, non perishable, blankets and coats have been the most common items,” co-owner and Staten Island native Lisa DiClerico said.
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) picked up some of the goods on Friday and headed to the Rockaways in a four-car caravan to dole out the necessities. The councilman is also gathering supplies at his office.
“I know that we all want to find some way to help in the recovery and our office is now launching a food, water and supplies drive,” he said.
DiClerico plans to take the rest of the items collected by LIC Market to Staten Island later in the week. The market will also use 10 percent of profits made over the weekend to buy additional supplies.
“Staten Island was so hard hit. Where I grew up and my family are without power — but fine, but some areas are just completely devastated,” DiClerico said, adding that the drive to the hardest hit borough will have to wait.
“At this moment we don’t have enough gas,” she said.
Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) said dwindling gas supplies and the effect it will have on relief efforts is a big concern for him. His office, like Van Bramer’s and many politicians in affected and nearby districts, also collected items for those hit by the storm; however, Vallone’s as well as his staff’s cars are running low on gasoline, he said.
Other businesses in the area are chipping in by opening their doors for free. Laughing Devil Comedy Club on 48th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard welcomed electricity seekers all week so they could charge their cell phones and other electronics. The club is also offering $5 tickets to its comedy shows through the weekend.
“We’ve been letting people charge up at the club all week — looks like a few LIC buildings will be without power for a week or two,” co-owner Steve Hofstetter said.
SculptureCenter at 44-19 Purves Street will collect donations through this weekend. There will be hot coffee and tea, and the suggested admission will be waived.
The Chocolate Factory is giving Queens residents free tickets to the weekend’s performances of “Ich, Kurbisgeist” by Big Dance Theater and MoMa PS 1 opened its halls for free coffee and cell charging.
“Any respite we can provide is good,” Director of Visitor Services Eleanor McKinney said. “Come on in.”
