PRATTSVILLE, NY (09/04/2011)--More than 2,000 New Yorkers answered the call and signed up to volunteer their Labor Day holiday for Governor Andrew Cuomo's "Labor For Your Neighbor" community service initiative September 4-5, 2011.
Governor Cuomo launched the volunteer effort on Labor Day weekend to assist clean-up efforts taking place in Schoharie and Greene counties as well as North Country areas that received significant damage as a result of Tropical Storm Irene.
The New York National Guard and New York State Office of Emergency Management led the way by providing command and control for the event as well as supervision and safe transportation for the volunteers to their designated sites.
Once volunteers receive a safety briefing they are separated into groups of twelve and assigned to two National Guard Soldiers for assigned missions.
"The mission is to assist home owners in recovery efforts," said Sgt. Richard Perry, a member of the 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB). "We bring them [volunteers] down by bus lead by National Guard Soldiers to assist in the clean-up."
Perry went on to say that volunteers were assisting residents in cleaning, or 'mucking' out their homes and salvaging any personal belongings that are salvageable.
"They don't have much so we are trying to salvage what we can," Perry added . "For some it was close ties to the communities affected and a chance to return to help those they grew up with that prompted them to volunteer.
"I grew up close to Prattsville," said Jaclyn Napoleon, a "Labor For Your Neighbor" volunteer. "My parents still live in Stamford and I really felt it would be a great opportunity to come and do whatever I could to help the folks that I grew up with."
"A lot of these folks here helping out are just everyday citizens helping their friends and neighbors," Perry said.
Volunteers weren't the only ones to take something positive from the experience.
"This is a great thing," said Capt. Alexander Martin of the 101st ESB. "I can't imagine what it's like to loose your house. We're here to do is help these people get back on their feet and begin to get their lives squared away."
"The morale is high and we have a lot of motivated Soldiers around.
They actually feel very good about being able to help and serve their community," Martin added.
"I love it," said Perry. "This is what I signed up for. They need help from us so we're here to help. It's what we're here for, we're trained, willing, ready, and able."
The experience and sensitivity of the volunteers certainly wasn't lost on the residents.
"They're great," said Kathy Busar, a renter who's resided in Prattsville for about ten years. "Just very nice guys, very nice, very helpful and very considerate and that's important."
Busar went on to say that volunteers helped with everything from getting out anything she asked them to get to helping to wash dishes that survived the flooding.
"The response to our 'Labor For Your Neighbor' has been overwhelming, but to me it is not surprising," Governor Cuomo said. "New Yorkers are always ready to lend a hand to someone in need. In our darkest hours New Yorkers shine the brightest--and the proof of that can be seen all across New York today."
Those wishing to contribute monetary donations should contact the United Way or Federal Disaster Relief Centers being setup New York.
Those who would like to contribute goods rather than funds should contact their local charities to see which are accepting such items.
New Yorkers wishing to volunteer for future operations, or to just contribute, can go to the Governors website, www.governor.ny.gov/laborforyourneighbor.
Related Links:
New York Guard troops mobilized to support Hurricane Irene emergency operations
Following Irene, New York Guard mission shifts to Catskills
New York Army National Guard motor Soldiers aid post-Irene rescues
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