Already we’re starting to hear less and less about Hurricane Sandy, and not even two weeks have gone by. But as the days grow colder and the nights longer, for those hit hardest, recovering from the extreme hardship is getting even tougher.
In the most devastated areas of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, people are still sorting through much of the wreckage – and will be for many months to come.
Circumstances like these arouse the compassion and empathy that lies within each of us and we look for ways to lighten the burden of those most affected.
One way is just to keep this region in your prayers.
Another is through kind and generous action. So we wanted to give you some options for contributing to relief efforts (some of which you may not be aware) that we culled from our sources on the ground.
• The Bowery Mission
• Community FoodBank of New Jersey
• Habitat for Humanity
• American Red Cross
Here at our office in Connecticut, I’m saddened to say, losses from the storm came awfully close to home.
I was stranded in Scottsdale for a conference, unable to get home, when friends started telling me that someone in our town was killed by a falling tree.
The next day I found out it was my friend, Olga Raymond, our first employee.
Olga was a dear woman and a dedicated employee who had worked for us 23 years ago.
Because her home was hit by a tree, she had ventured out to walk to a nearby neighbor’s house when the tragedy occurred.
We will miss Olga, and we’ll always remember her kindness and awesome spirit.
So many others are suffering loss and hardship in the wake of the storm as well – our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Heartfelt condolences to you and all Olga’s family and loved ones. Without doubt she touched many lives and she will be missed. If any of the work you share today is a result of her early participation, then she will be warmly embraced and remembered in the hearth of nicabm globally. May you find comfort in that.
Friends are lights in our lives. May her light continue to live in you so you know she will remain in your heart. May you be sourrounded by all the love and support you need. Thank you for sharing this with us so you can be as well in our prayers.
I’m so sorry about your friend Olga. You and all of the people at that edge of the country are in our thoughts and prayer
Dear Ruth, thank you for ALL that you share with us–your grief as well as your joy. Our hearts and our prayers go out to you and to all those suffering from the storm. Condolences to you and to your friend Olga’s family. May you and all those who are suffering experience peace once again. And thank you for th offer of this guided imagery. Blessings, Mary Jo Campisi
Ruth,
I empathize with the victims of Sandy – of course I do! I know just what they are going through. I lost my home, my job, and my beach condo in Katrina. We lived in six different placements before we were able to get back into our home 9 months later. I’m reminded, though, of the outrage by the rest of the country about the audacity of us who wanted to rebuild our community. New Orleans is a jewel that should never be allowed to disappear. I lived in New York City for 10 years and, of course, support its renovation and rebuilding. I’m just a tad bit irritated by the ease with which “they” recommended turning our neighborhoods into “green space” ( We live in one of those areas that were to become “green dots” Our neighborhood coalition fought it and has created a better neighborhood.)
The reason I’m writing to you is because I listened to the session by Mr. Kornfield and was very interested.
I.m so, so sorry to hear of your loss. I followed the news reports and was saddened by the.intensity of these storm and the senseless loss Nd devastation. My heart goes out to everyone.
My condolences to you and to all who loved and admired her.
My prayers are with you & all those others who were effected by the storm. Thanks for all that you do.
Thank you Ruth for keeping us updated and informed. My prayers and lots of love and compassion wrap that area in healing light. I am so sorry and honor your feelings of deep loss over someone you knew personally and worked closely with.
Our Fire Department is a collection station for clothing, food and supplies of all kinds. We are taking warm clothing down as fast as we can gather them. I also witnessed a local group loading three pickup trucks full of cases of food and water at a grocery store last night. They will be heading south this morning to deliver it somewhere in your area.
Blessings of Love, Light, Peace and eventual JOY again, Darlene
Ruth: I’m so sorry to read about the loss of your dear friend Olga. You and her family and friends are in my Heart, thoughts, and prayers as well as those who were affected by Sandy. Karen
Yes, I want to know more.
Please accept my concern.
Feel free to share more if you wish.
Blessings,
Edwin
I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. I can’t imagine going without power, transportation, and adequate food/water in freezing temperatures. Blessings to you Olga. Jason
I know it hurts so much to lose a life long friend like Olga. I am sorry and I will continue to pray for you and all the others affected by Sandy.
Oh, Ruth, my deepest heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your friend!
I’m a former New Yorker, with many friends & relatives in the NE–my cousin’s friends drowned in their own home… My prayers for all those impacted by this tragedy–directly or indirectly; may they be safe & restored to some degree of normalcy soon.
Bring our troops home and let them help where they are needed, wanted and appreciated. It would do a world of good for them and us.
Dear Ruth and all at NICABM, So sorry to hear of your loss and holding you all in good thoughts and prayers. Was just reading Alice Miller this am…one of her prayers to her ancestors…seems timely to share with you just now: “Rest in Peace~~~the meaning of your life is still unfolding. Rest in Peace~~~the meaning of your life is still unfolding in me (us)”. Your work has touched my life so profoundly and it touches my deepest heart to know a bit of Olga…thankyou!
Oh Ruth, I’m so sorry this has been a personal loss for you. Tuesday night was not the right time to find that out but now that I know, I will hold you and all the others who have suffered unimaginably in my heart.
So sorry for your loss Ruth, and for the trauma you are all faced with. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. With love
My heart goes out with compassion to you and to all the people in the Northeast who were affected by this devastating storm. Oh my, how hard it is to lose a friend, also. Earth’s loss, however, is heaven’s gain. God has mysterious ways, but he will uphold you as you focus on His Light and Name. I’m sure, at some point, you will discover Gifts wrapped up in the suffering and hardship. We in North Carolina have been through some rough storms–Hurricane Fran in 1996 cut a wide swath of devastation inland, and Hurricane Floyd (1999) flooded the eastern portion of NC. I realized after these that hurricanew are simply massive and powerful energy systems lacking any internal guidance. They are completely at the mercy of forces around them, which shove them around and about. I have thought about collective personal power to guide them out to sea where they do little harm.
So sorry to hear this sad news! Condolences to her family and all her friends…
May her soul rest in eternal peace. Praying for you all.
I’m very sure I’m speaking for many of us here in New Orleans when I say that you and the victims of Sandy are in our hearts and prayers in a special way. My feelings of sadness and compassion for your losses are deeply stirred when I hear of the tragic circumstances we know all too well. I know that you, too, will experience some of the most incredible support in small (and large) ways from loving people throughout the United States. There is some bits of “silver lining” in these tragedies! People are still coming here with groups to help put their homes and lives back together. Not everyone will forget you so quickly. You are loved and appreciated!! So sorry for your loss(es).
My compassion and prayers go to you Olga and all those who were touched by her generous spirit. I am sorry for your loss. Much Love, Steve
I’m so sorry to hear this. Thank you for letting us know, so we can hold you all in the Light.
Dear Ruth,
I’m so sorry to hear of the death of your friend. Each precious person that enters our lives leaves an imprint on our hearts and minds. May your memories be a comfort to you, and to all who knew and cared about Olga. There has been so much loss and tragedy in the aftermath of Sandy. It’s hard to wrap our minds around that kind of devastation and suffering. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all who have been impacted in countless ways by the storm.
Sincerely,
Linda
Dr. Buczynski,
My deepest sympathies and prayers are extended to you and the family of Ms. Raymond.
Respectfully,
Misty Walton
I am so sorry for your loss. Holding you all in the light.
Hello Ruth:
My prayers are with you, your community and those affected greatly by Hurricane Sandy.
I will also like to include the east region of my home country Cuba in these prayers. A country already in so much poverty, predominantly this area, now greatly affected as well by the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Peace and blessings to all, Aida
Dear Ruth and team at NICABM
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend Olga. That’s a heartbreaking story.
Thank you for the list of donation locations.
We here on the Guilford shoreline were pretty lucky all in all.
If anyone has spare coats for men and women and children too I’m sure, please drop them off or send them to cilantro’s coffee shop or next door at Black Eyed Susan in Guilford, ct where they will be delivered to those in need in N.J. And New York.
Thank you, Kathy Hunter
You just never never know, when, who, what and how. One can only say “and this too”. Be kind to yourself Ruth. My thoughts are with you. Also thank you for this wonderful series my intention is to “give comment”, but I am still devouring all. Pam
That is very sad and tragic, I’m so sorry and send prayers and healing light to you all that were affected by Sandy.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, Olga, and for the misfortune of countless others on your shore. My prayers continue to go out to all of you.