Sunday, November 18, 2012

Sandy relief: Teamsters blanket NY region with volunteers

Helping with Sandy relief yesterday, Teamsters from locals 210, 812 and 282.
(UPDATES graf 10 to ADD detail about Ny and NJ Teamsters delivering supplies all over region.)

We hear so many Teamster volunteers are delivering relief supplies today from four staging areas throughout New York that no more are needed!

Teamsters aren't needed anymore at the Red Cross's Jersey City warehouse either. Sister Bernadette Kelly tells us:

Awesome job, brothers and sisters!
Teamsters did such a fantastic job yesterday that all of the trucks were loaded in the Jersey warehouse and pushed out last night. That means all the trucks should be picked up at the staging areas (Aqueduct, Floyd Bennett Field, Miller Field on Staten Island, and McArthur Airport). 
Every truck was packed last night and delivered to the staging areas. There were no drivers needed at the warehouse!!!! Huge.
We learn from Joint Council 16's Facebook page:
JC President George Miranda has spearheaded a massive volunteer operation that has included 21 of JC 16's local unions and has partnered with JC 73. Over 125 trucks were packed and staged last weekend. 
And this (also from JC 16):
Today, Matthew Bruccoleri, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 272 reported in from the Miller Field, Staten Island Red Cross staging area. Brother Matthew lives in the heart of the aftermath and is sharing his home with 2 other families while everyone rebuilds. He was really amazed that over 100 volunteers showed up to support the Red Cross and members from Locals 272, 560, 210 and 707 came and gave a hand. The Red Cross rep couldn't believe the Teamsters turn-out. We could. 
Our in-box was filled with photos of Teamsters pitching in yesterday to help the tens of thousands of people suffering from the region's worst natural disaster ever.

Ralph Salzano and daughter Rianna.
We have photos of Teamsters helping out in Lindenhurst and in Howard Beach.  Teamsters delivered supplies to Breezy Point, Coney Island, Red Hook, Long Beach, Rockaway, Broad Channel, Far Rockaway, Seagate, and Howard Beach. They brought blankets, clean up kits, baby supplies, rubber maid containers and food. Locals 817, 210, 805, 804, 854, 707, 202, 917 and 802 in New York were joined by the BLET and members from Joint Council 73 locals 863 and 177.

Ralph Salzano, business agent with Local 210, made it a family affair. He and his daughter Rianna volunteered; they're pictured at right in Howard Beach.

Sister Mary Donch, a locomotive engineer with Metro North, was reading the Teamsters Facebook page in a diner when she saw the urgent call for help.
Sister Mary Donch was in a diner near Floyd Field this morning and saw our Facebook post asking for help distributing Red Cross supplies for Sandy victims. Mary posted a comment asking where it is. We posted a map and Mary's there now! She's a locomotive engineer for Metro-North, Division 269, and a 19-year BLET member. You go girl!
Peter Kotaj, Local 805, helping out yesterday.
Want to help, but don't live in the Northeast? Consider making a donation to the Teamsters Disaster Relief Fund. It's easy. Just click here to find out the details.