Community Corner

Melville Neighborhood Bands Together for Sandy Victims

Eight Melville families come together to help a Far Rockaway family badly affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Hearts were full on a recent Sunday as a group of Melville families filled their cars to the brim with household items they purchased to help a Far Rockaway family badly affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Ruined by flooding, sewage, and mold, this family was forced to discard everything and start over. With the house restoration nearly complete, the family now faces the huge task of restocking the house with basic household items that typically takes years to accumulate.

Sunday's donation was initiated by Slovie Wolff of the Hineni organization, who knew of this family's situation and made a request for help at a parenting class she taught last month. Robyn Schmigelski, who attended the class, heard the request and got started organizing an effort in her neighborhood.

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The result was eight Melville families who banded together for a common purpose: to help restore this family's sense of normalcy and comfort. In the end, the Melville group purchased a variety of household items, such as bedding, dishes, toys and books. They got to know each other during wonderful dinner at a local restaurant. Then, the children unloaded their cars, excited to present everything to the grateful family.

"I would hope that if something like this happened to my family, others would be there to do the same thing for me," said Marla Dubler, one of the contributors who was there on Sunday. All the families who donated items felt the same way, and were grateful for the opportunity to help.

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What started as a link between strangers blossomed into so much more.  By the end of the evening, everyone said goodbye with hugs and promises to keep in touch. In fact, plans were discussed to go to a Mets baseball game this spring.

Thank you to all the following families for their generosity and kindness: the Alfords, Dublers, Keschners, Lippmans, Millers, Propis, Schmigelskis and Wilds. And to all the children who participated: Dylan Dubler, Ben Keschner, Jack Lippman, Josh Miller, Brenda and Madeline Propis, Jake, Dean and Alec Schmigelski and Leo Wild.  

Story and photo courtesy of Robyn Schmigelski


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