Maine Red Cross Volunteers Travel to New York to Help Hurricane Sandy Victims

Hurricane Sandy is now over, but the Superstom has left a devastating mark on the East Coast. Millions of people still don’t have electricity, entire neighborhoods wiped out, billions of dollars left in damages. But despite the tragedy, aid workers, volunteers, state and local governments are coming together to start rebuilding. 

The first group of Maine Red Cross volunteers left today for New York. The 12 member crew, nurses, mental health workers, and shelter workers are making their way to White Plains, N.Y. where they will focus on helping people with displacement issues.

‘Mass devastation. Destroyed neighborhoods. A lot of hurt people. And a lot of people pulling together to help,’ said Bonnie MacInnes, a retired nurse from Portland who is heading the Red Cross volunteers group.

The Maine Red Cross is expecting more volunteer groups from the state will follow soon. The first group will be there for about two weeks.

Red Cross Response Manager Eric Lynes said that volunteers should expect to see a lot of people who are going through strong emotions.

Hurricane Sandy made a landfall on Monday evening, causing major floods in New York City and New Jersey. The deadly storm killed at least 13 people in the U.S. and caused damages worth $45 billion making it one of the costliest storms to hit the East Coast.

If you would like to help and donate you can do that by visiting maineredcross.org or call the organization at 874-1192 or 795-4004 for more information.