
The recovery from Hurricane Sandy will take years and will happen in stages so there is plenty of time to help, plenty of time to figure out how to be helpful. One does not have to be a first responder, therapist etc... to be of help. Quite the contrary. If you're an accountant, volunteer to help someone organize their financial recovery; a lawyer can help with the legal issues; someone who likes to cook can help with the shelter and pop-up kitchens; interior designers can help with decorating peoples homes once rebuilt. Good at crafts? Great. One can refurbish used or found furniture to help people save money in replacing items lost. Love animals? Fabulous. There are lots and lots of them who need your help so foster, adopt, volunteer at rescues who have taken in displaced/lost/abandoned animals. And for someone far away, one can hold a bake sale, collect needed items to ship, or provide support in some way where miles do not matter like contacting companies and ask them to donate items to affected areas. You can even provide support to those who are providing support! We all have a skill set to share with others. The list is really endless!