Hurricane Sandy hit New York and the East Coast hard, and OC friends and family are getting their hands dirty to help those affected. Meet the individuals who are making the recovery happen, all wearing the T-shirt we created to benefit the Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBT youth, which suffered devastating damage from the storm. Next up is OC's very own archivist, Kalena.
Name: Kalena Yiaueki
Occupation: Archivist at Opening Ceremony
How are you involved in Hurricane Sandy relief? I have been as involved as I can be with a full-time job, working on getting the word out to those who have a flexible enough schedule to get to the Rockaways. I threw a renegade Sandy benefit and I am also planning an event with Opening Ceremony to raise money for Rockaway Relief. This past weekend, I volunteered with the Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center, which was also wrecked during the storm. I have also raised money with my mother for Occupy Sandy. 'Trying to do the best I can with a tight schedule! It makes me feel good to put my free time to a good cause.
What about this experience has been moving to you? Trying to volunteer the weekend after the storm and getting turned away three times because there were too many volunteers. Everyone always says that New York is so anonymous and no one knows their neighbors, but it proved that New Yorkers don't need to know each other to want to help each other, which I found really inspiring.
Independently of Hurricane Sandy efforts, what other causes do you support, and how actively? When I was in high school, I was actively involved in a variety of volunteer efforts such as LGBT, Native American Rights, and Women's equality causes. I have been in hibernation for a long time but this has inspired me to start giving back to the community. I hope to start volunteering more and not just in crisis situations. Ask me again in a year. I do play cupid to many people but I suppose that isn't really a cause.
What can others do to help post-Sandy efforts? They don't need as many donation-based things at this point. I think they really need people to get out there and help clean out people's basements and homes. IF YOU CAN GET TO STATEN ISLAND OR THE ROCKWAYS PLEASE DO IT ASAP. Also just because it leaves the newsfeed doesn't mean those who have been affected aren't still in need. This is a long process for people to begin getting their lives in order. Don't stop praying for them.
Shop the OC Surviving Sandy T-Shirt here
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Opening Ceremony Surviving Sandy Tee
Name: Kalena Yiaueki
Occupation: Archivist at Opening Ceremony
How are you involved in Hurricane Sandy relief? I have been as involved as I can be with a full-time job, working on getting the word out to those who have a flexible enough schedule to get to the Rockaways. I threw a renegade Sandy benefit and I am also planning an event with Opening Ceremony to raise money for Rockaway Relief. This past weekend, I volunteered with the Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center, which was also wrecked during the storm. I have also raised money with my mother for Occupy Sandy. 'Trying to do the best I can with a tight schedule! It makes me feel good to put my free time to a good cause.
What about this experience has been moving to you? Trying to volunteer the weekend after the storm and getting turned away three times because there were too many volunteers. Everyone always says that New York is so anonymous and no one knows their neighbors, but it proved that New Yorkers don't need to know each other to want to help each other, which I found really inspiring.
Independently of Hurricane Sandy efforts, what other causes do you support, and how actively? When I was in high school, I was actively involved in a variety of volunteer efforts such as LGBT, Native American Rights, and Women's equality causes. I have been in hibernation for a long time but this has inspired me to start giving back to the community. I hope to start volunteering more and not just in crisis situations. Ask me again in a year. I do play cupid to many people but I suppose that isn't really a cause.
What can others do to help post-Sandy efforts? They don't need as many donation-based things at this point. I think they really need people to get out there and help clean out people's basements and homes. IF YOU CAN GET TO STATEN ISLAND OR THE ROCKWAYS PLEASE DO IT ASAP. Also just because it leaves the newsfeed doesn't mean those who have been affected aren't still in need. This is a long process for people to begin getting their lives in order. Don't stop praying for them.
Shop the OC Surviving Sandy T-Shirt here
Opening Ceremony Surviving Sandy Tee