" The Forgotten Borough"

       After the destructive hurricane Sandy struck New York and New Jersey many people who once had a home now have nothing. Sandy brought strong winds and waters with her but sadly homes were wrecked, things were lost and lives were lost in the process. Places especially hit where places like Long Island, Rocaway, Coney Island, Red Hook, Breezy Point and places in New Jersey. President Barack Obama was especially concerned about all the destruction and damage done to homes and people; so he sent people from FEMA and The American Red Cross to give a helping hand. Luckily these places and people are getting assisted except for 'the forgotten borough' of Staten Island. In the article "Hurricane Sandy Victims Will Rebuild After Red Cross ' Too Little, Too Late' " by Eleanor Goldberg, it states that mean while all these other places are getting help 1 day or 2 after the storm, Staten Island isn`t even getting a crumb of the help.

      " I`d like somebody who does this for a living so I know we`re doing what needs to get done" says local Joe Caldarera of Staten Island. People have been doubting help from organisations like FEMA and The Red Cross because they don`t seem interested or determined to help the people of this borough. So far it`s just been neighbor to neighbor helping each other save what they can and get water out of their homes.Even local businesses have made free foods and items to give to people in their communities  Other Islanders have created little meetings where people can drop off clothing, blankets, pillows, flashlights and many more items that can be passable to other who desperateness need it. I think everyone is slowly going to come back to "normalcy" after a wile but a little slower because they barely have enough help already. The mayor and governor I think need also to spread the help equally among places in the state, so that everyone can recuperate in a positive way.

      During a press conference Borough President James Molinaro of Staten Island says " All these people making bis salaries should be out there font the front line and my advice to the people of Staten Island is: Do not donate to the American Red Cross. Let them get their money elsewhere". Many agree with Molinaro. Neglected, people in desperate times are being neglected, apparently others are maybe benefiting from warm food, water and maybe even temporary shelters, but no. Citizens say that they haven`t even see 1 Red Cross food truck or any type of service till 5 days later when one finally did show up. " We`re doing all that we can...we`re here" says one lady who works in the Red Cross food truck. they claimed to have been their for the past few days but still are arguing that they didn`t even see one.I think services should have been announced immdiently people would have gotten what they needed and just have to wait with a matter of sheltering.

     Volunteers have been the bright side to these dark few days in Staten Island from helping take out water from their homes to checking and asking everyone of their needs. These people devoted their time kindness to their communities and people on their borough. Most don`t even know each other but still share hugs and service, most of these volunteers are from young teenagers to retired citizens."Communities will always take care of themselves, and if you wait for government or huge nonprofits to come in, most of the time its too little, too late" says councilman Vincent Ignizio. Communities should help them selves flourish again by having found raisers and raising awareness to people who may want to contribute to the cause. I that those who need jobs and don`t have any thing to do should help the other person that doesn`t know what to do like volunteering to help better those families and communities. I also think since I live in Staten Island and I was lucky to have been OK I would help those who don`t not for money but for everyone.

       This article has opened my eyes about how important community is and how people become one to help each other even though their in the same position. These people all live a few blocks from the beach that now they don`t know where there house is.Sandy destroyed all that these people had and knew. People are searching for photos and memories that sustained the storm to warm their hearts. No shelter, power or water makes this fight harder but with we can accomplish to becoming and even stronger community in the future. I think this is how community should be on a daily bases giving each other a welcoming helping hand. We will turn out successful in the end.