Relief for Rockaway Residents

Employees from Gracie Post Office joined firefighters from NYC’s Firehouse Engine 22, Hook and Ladder 13, and local businesses to collect much needed supplies for residents of Rockaway Queens, who were hard hit by Hurricane Sandy.

Firefighter Dave Guilford knew that St. Francis Church in Rockaway would be able to distribute the supplies throughout the affected area if he could coordinate a relief drive in his Upper East Side neighborhood––so he asked Grace Station Manager James Warden for assistance.

“Postal employees Woodley Moy and George DiBartola and I were happy to help,” said Warden. “The relief drive took place on Friday Nov. 3 and went on for three days. We set up a makeshift command center along the exterior wall of the Post Office and provided them with recycled cardboard boxes. We loaned them post cons, and flat and letter trays to help them load the supplies. Whatever needed to be done, my crew was more than happy to help.”

Grace Mgr. James Warden (center frame) helps supervise relief effort with FDNY

Upper East Side community comes together to donate, collect, organize
 and ship supplies to victims of Hurricane Sandy in Rockaway Queens  

Local moving companies and even a lumber yard volunteered their trucks into service and employees from a local pub helped Warden, Moy and DiBartola label, package and load seven truckloads worth of supplies and essentials.

Gracie Station on E. 95th Street acts as make-shift Command Center
for relief effort

“The response from the community was overwhelming,” smiled Warden. “It was great to see everybody come together like that, and people were very appreciative of the Postal Service.  If we helped make just one victim of this hurricane a little more comfortable,” remarked Warden, “then it was all worth it.”

During Veterans’ Day weekend, the Better Angels of Our Human Nature—a charitable organization founded by Postal employees from FDR station— joined in the second relief drive held in the neighborhood.

FDR Letter Carrier Ernie Twomley helps load supplies
heading to residents of Far Rockaway, Queens

“I was so impressed with how everybody stepped up and spent thousands of dollars to donate things like heating equipment, diapers, food, cleaning materials,” said Maintenance Supv. Don Daggett, who estimated the second relief drive filled up five truckloads worth of supplies.

If you would like to help Firefighter Guilford's relief drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy,log on to Facebook and type EUS Drop off

Do you know of a positive story that involved the Postal community during or after Hurricane Sandy? Submit it Here

USPS employees, FDNY and Upper East Side community organize
second relief drive for residents hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy