Making a Difference

Adelphi Rallies to Help Local Communities in Superstorm Sandy’s Aftermath

By James Forkan 

To help ease the burden of those in the Long Island area hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, Adelphi University developed a highly successful blood drive and donation and community service efforts last fall. These various acts of kindness and compassion truly brought to life Adelphi’s description of itself as “the engaged University.” 

On November 3, just days after the storm, Adelphi hosted an emergency blood drive with Long Island Blood Services for the American Red Cross, coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs and the Center for Student Involvement (CSI). Michael Berthel, CSI senior assistant director, announced at a November 26 Faculty Senate meeting that 125 students and staff volunteered at the Ruth S. Harley University Center, where 700 people turned out to donate not only 155 pints of blood but also 13,500 items, ranging from nonperishable food and clothing to cleaning products and blankets. The initial recipients were storm victims in Freeport and Long Beach. By December, more than 30,000 items had been donated.

Mr. Berthel also said that about 350 students and faculty participated in service trips to such hard-hit communities as Breezy Point, Long Beach, Island Park, Oceanside and Belle Harbor to distribute clothes and other goods to storm victims, as well as help with cleanup efforts. Some of those efforts were in collaboration with the School of Social Work.

In the spring, he added, Adelphi will work with Habitat for Humanity in rebuilding efforts. 

In addition, the Student Activities Board sought donations at its various on-campus events throughout November. The Collaboration Project, Zeta Beta Tau, the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education and the Criminal Justice Club donated holiday food baskets to 100-plus families in the Freeport Public School District. 

Adelphi President Robert A. Scott, Ph.D., also announced pre-Thanksgiving Day distribution of funds from the Hurricane Sandy Grant Fund, a relief effort to support faculty and staff who either lost their primary residences or face long-term displacement. Adelphi, which raised $47,000 from 259 donors, matched that sum and distributed more than $94,000 to the 32 employees who applied for assistance.