Queens Lends Its Hand In Aid

Queens residents have opened their doors and their wallets to the millions of families displaced by the devastation created by Hurricane Katrina.
The Red Cross, along with many other charitable organizations across the country and state, have pooled all their resources to aid the people of the affected region.
“We are fully engaged in relief for this tragedy,” said John Simone, chair of advisors at the Red Cross. “We have already raised $2.4 million at a telethon this past week, organized a 19-seat call center to accept donations and personally handled 45 families who have been displaced.”
In the wake of 9/11, the Red Cross faced a lot of criticism regarding the disbursements of the funds raised to aide the tragedy. The Red Cross said this disaster will be different.
“There were many questions after 9/11 as to how the money should be spent but this is a clear cut problem,” said Olivier Szlos, Senior Director of Community Development at the Red Cross in Greater New York. “Money will go directly to help set up housing and shelters and provide resources for the victims.” Szlos said 91 cents of every dollar donated to the Red Cross will be contributed to the efforts.
The impact of this natural disaster has reached far beyond the state limits of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.
Many New Yorkers like Frank Credidio, a resident of Bayside, have been touched by this catastrophe as they attempt to locate family members living in the region.
Frank’s brother Joseph and his family live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“We were worried even though Baton Rouge escaped most of the damage of the storm,” said Frank “Since New Orleans flooded, people have been dropped off in Baton Rouge without any place to go and have become desperate. Desperation leads to violent crimes like looting and we were concerned.”
Thankfully Credidio’s brother and his family have been able to manage.
“It was very scary for a couple of days,” said Joseph. “People would be roaming the streets day and night while residents like myself were forced to remain armed to protect our families.”
According to the Red Cross of Greater New York, 40 New York area respondents to date have been deployed to the region and more are expected to be sent within the next week.
Con Edison has dispatched 30 workers to the Gulf Coast, including Queens residents W. Gauchier and D. Huie, to help restore electrical power and the North Shore Animal League America has also sent workers to the region to help rescue some of the abandoned animals.
Business leaders and local officials from all corners of the borough rallied at the Queens headquarters of the Red Cross this week in a meeting organized by Assemblyman Jimmy Meng, to pledge their dedication towards rebuilding the Gulf Coast.
“The entire world will look to see how we as Americans, handle this tragedy,” said Meng. “It is time to come together regardless of race or religion and present a united and joint front to ask for help.”