I grew up in New England, where self-reliance reigned supreme. In that environment, “neither a lender nor a borrower be” defined the attitude towards assistance. Help was a four-letter word and asking for help showed a weakness of character. Charity and philanthropy were at best necessary evils and a sense of entitlement was a despicable character trait. No one deserved anything, excepting perhaps the right to work. Do-it-yourself was not some trendy moniker, appropriated by Maker Magazine. DIY, was a necessary condition in a world driven by hard times, lean circumstances, and real need. In a harsh, rural, sparsely populated environment, embracing such an extreme view of self-reliance makes sense and is arguably necessary for survival.
Recently, however, I have learned a poignant lesson on the nature of HELP. Today marks one month since Hurricane Sandy ravaged New York City. For the last four weeks, I have helped a friend in Staten Island, one of the worst hit areas. The borough is literally a disaster that will take an untold time to restore. Many will be digging out and repairing for months or years to come – some will never see their homes in its former state. In the house I have worked in, nearly every task necessary on the road to recovery has required a team effort. In our case, clearing a basement with belongings drenched with seawater and sewage was a mammoth job, inconceivable for one or two people. We could find no one really willing and able to do the job, even as work for hire.
We were nearly at wit’s end until meeting Leticia Remauro at the volunteer table in Miller Field in Staten Island. Leticia, I was to learn later, is chair of Community Board 1 for that borough. When I told her of our cleaning dilemma, she wrote out her cell phone number as well as that of Jeremey Horan (a volunteer) on a card and handed it to me, telling me with the utmost confidence that Jeremy would handle any work that needed to be done. But Jeremey was associated with not just any volunteer group, of which there are numerous, typically loosely banded as a response to a crisis. No, the group who finally and thoroughly cleared the basement was All Hands Volunteers, a non-profit group doing work worldwide, and Jeremey was Director of Operation. There is too much good to be said about this group of men and women who are undaunted by any task, regardless of how unpleasant it may be, and, with energy that can only be described as indefatigable, apply themselves and carry through these thankless jobs to completion. Members come from all walks of life, most typically with day jobs, often driving in on weekends from out of state, just to help. I was privileged to meet Travis Gibson, US Field Operations, who personally came to inspect the project. Travis is one of a few full-time staff with the organization.
The response and value of government or insurance agencies has been anywhere from useless to disgraceful (apart from The Department of Sanitation, who has done a tremendous job), when viewed from the perspective of URGENT NEED at the time of crisis. With tens of thousands rendered homeless, bureaucratic process with forms and applications does virtually NOTHING to address many of the immediate needs of those hit by a monumental catastrophe. Many with enough cash pay out of pocket, hoping to be reimbursed by insurance. Everyone else must rely on wits, resourcefulness, and volunteers to see themselves through. It was only seeing the situation first hand that I quickly learned the value of Help. Volunteerism has been the saving grace in Staten Island after Hurricane Sandy.
In my case, All Hands Volunteers not only cleared any and all debris, but also volunteered to completely gut the interior of the home, a process that only takes one team about two days – ripping out carpeting, floors, and walls and removing appliances and furniture. It was astonishing to see them work. Without All Hands Volunteers, we truly would have been at a loss. The entire experience is harrowing owing to time pressure – every day that a home that has been flooded sits idle, mold continues to grow and makes the restoration process worse.
And so it was how Leticia Remauro and All Hands Volunteers taught me that HELP is not just a desperate plea while drowning nor a four-letter word, but, in time of catastrophic need, Help is The Road to Salvation 🙂
A wonderful post Brian, and a poignant tribute to these amazing volunteers.
Many of us have come to learn in life through various experiences that one should never be afraid to ask for help and all of us should never be reticent in giving it.
Apologies, I didn’t mean to post that above comment anonymously, I just pressed ‘post comment’ too quickly.
Beautiful post. This one is really from your heart.
What an incredible blessing to receive this desperately needed assistance…such huge generosity.
Respetados senores por medio de esta lineas me permito communicarme ante Usted (s) para manifestarles la cituation en que me encuentro en este momento estube trabajando hasta el 2011 perdi mi trabajo el cual no e podido encontrar nada y no tengo unemployment tengo el pago de la luz atrazado y no tenmgo dinero para pagarlo manteninimento el Mortgage se me atraso por $1825 el cual el banco HSBC me quiere quitar mi apartamento por el atrazo de este dinero no tengo como pagarlo y se me esta cumpliendo el plazo que me diero para cancelar esta deuda;Todos los dias estoy aplicando en lo que sea pero se me es imposible encontrar nada,mi Madre vive con migo el cual la tengo enferma y me le dio un derrame cerebrar el cual perdio su vista derecha y se la pasa solo llorando eso me deprime mas de loque estoy en este momento no tengo como hacer ningun pago.Por favor les pido de corazon se me oriente donde puedo acudir para una ayuda puesto que en las Iguesia y Commisionados se me escucharon ni fui atendida;por eso me permito molestarles con mi cituation a Usted(s)gracias por latention prestada a esta y espero tener una Navidad Feliz sin ningun problema en mi mente que Dios le Vendiga y Feliz Navidad.
Att:Miryam calvo
2162 W 60th St.14211
Hialeah,Fl.33016
305-8223463
Rose – agreed.
Leslie – Why thank you. The whole effort had a profound effect on me. Yesterday, we contacted Mormon Helping Hands who showed up at our storage facility to help unload an entire 17 foot truck with hundreds of boxes and bags of clothing. Seven of their team made short work of what would have been exhausting and daunting without them.
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Brian- welcome to the family.
Les saludo muy respetuosamente,disculpa la molestia que les de;Me encuentro en una cituation muy mal el cual no tengo trabajo y mi mortgage lo tengo atrazado por la cantidad de $1825 el cual el Banco HSBC me quiere quitar el apartamento si no les cancelo esta deuda en el termino de este mes no me dan modification porque no tengo trabajo ni cuando estube con el unemployment tampoco se me ayudo Yo tenia un atrazo de $4000 el cual con el unemployment y un trabajo que tube por 3 semanas me ayudaron para adelantar pero otra vez se me atrazo por falta de trabajo el cual no e podido encontrar,La tina del bano se me rompio y el agua cae en la sala cualdo nos banamos y no lo e podido arreglar tampoco no tenmgo ningun dinero para pagar mantenimiento que tambien esta atrazado seguro de casa y carro me encuentro vajo una depresion muy fuerte entre mis problemas con mi trabajo mi apartamento y luego mi Madre que no se encuentra vien de salud por su vista derecha que la perdio tod esto se me estralla en mi cerebro y lo tengo arrebentar por la cituation que tengo no puedo dormir porque qtengo miedo que en cualquier momento se me saque de mi apartamento.Perdone la molestia que les doy pero en las Iglesias los Commissionados y Alcalde no se me ayudo Inclusible la Casa Blanca la cual les escribi y tengo la carta de la respuesta bueno no respuesta es como si nos les interesara el dolor de las personas porque como tienen un techo y unplato de comida en su mesa y encuanto trabajo nos les importa el dolor ajeno.
Gracias por la ayuda o orientation en donde puedo acudair para esta ayuda les agradesco .
Feliz Navidad.Espero tener una Navidad de Verdad con mi Madre y apartamento el cual e luchado mucho para tenerlo y por esta cituacion de trabajo lo tenga que perder no es justo porque no tengo ayuda de nada ni de unemployment.
Att.Miryam Calvo
2162 W 60th St.14211
Hialeah,Fl33016
305-8223463