Help the victims of the Second Avenue blast [updated]
Updated 4/7/15: A few more ways you can help out East Village residents and businesses who are suffering after the March 27th blast that is now being investigated as a homicide: Donate to the GoFundMe for the family of Moises Locon Yak, a restaurant worker killed in the explosion and the GoFundMe for Elizabeth Dimond, whose apartment was destroyed. You could also support Pommes Frites, which is asking for donations to help re-open in a new location, or buy tickets to Taste of 7th, which showcases restaurants on the block and will be donating this year's profits to the Red Cross.
The recent explosion in the East Village has lots of New Yorkers (and friends of New Yorkers) wondering what they can do to help those affected, many of whom lost their home and all of their personal possessions. (For the families and friends who lost two loved ones, the tragedy is immeasurable.)
Here’s a roundup of resources, courtesy of neighborhood blogs Bowery Boogie, EVGrieve and local news site, DNAinfo.
Donate Money:
Single mother Diane McLean and her three school-aged children, eight-year-old Rose and five-year-old twins, Annabelle and James lost their rent-controlled home and everything (photographs, children’s artwork, family heirlooms) in it.
Jason Gustafson (aka Gus) lived at Second Avenue and East 7th Street for five years. This fundraiser has reached its goal.
Nora and Matt Brooks (a graduate student and puppet designer, respectively) also lost their apartment, including her school books and his puppet-building tools.
Mariann Marlow's 50s-inspired boutique, Enz's, wasn't insured and sustained significant fire damage.
Grad student Laura Gibson escaped from one of the buildings immediately after the explosion but lost her home to fire. This fundraiser has reached its goal.
Other GoFundMe campaigns can be supported here: Spencer Hurst, Dan Kenerson, John Duvnjak and Chris Brown; McKenzie and roommates; Norman, Chelsea, Micha and Jenny; general relief fund started by a concerned neighbor.
Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City: You can donate directly to a fund that will support those impacted by the East Village explosion.
Red Cross: The Red Cross is providing assistance to 64 households affected by the explosion, including 125 adults and 5 children.
Donate Time:
Volunteer with LES Ready, a coalition of community groups and institutions working together to respond to disasters in Manhattan’s Community Board 3 area and the immediately adjacent neighborhood.
Support the many shops, restaurants and venues (Bar Virage, Stomp, Van Leewen Ice Cream, B&H Dairy, to name a few) around the disaster site that lost days' worth of business in the wake of the explosion.
Donate Goods:
LES Ready is collecting gift cards, metro cards and the like (no large donations like furniture at this time).
Spread the word:
The Standard Hotel is offering three night accommodation to residents who can prove they’ve been displaced by the disaster—bring ID or a bill that shows your address.
Manhattan Mini Storage is offering free storage for up to three months for residents displaced by the disaster.
Jeffrey Schleider of Miron Properties (212-888-6250) is offering to find anyone directly affected by the explosion a new home—free of charge.
Similarly, Suitey, the technology-powered residential real estate brokerage is offering to find those impacted by the blast no-fee new homes. Email them at EVhelp@suitey.com.
Related:
What to do when the worst case scenario happens to your building
When disaster strikes, your apartment insurance can help with temporary housing
Is your building's fire escape safe? How to find out before there's a fire
