SANDY ONE YEAR LATER: Candle-lighting vigils tonight

A series of candle-lighting vigils, called “Light Up The Shore,” will be held tonight, October 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Brighton Beach, Canarsie, Coney Island, DUMBO, Gerritsen Beach, Gowanus, Seagate, Sheepshead Bay, and possibly other neighborhoods along the Brooklyn waterfront.

Candles will be lit at 7:45 p.m.–when Sandy made landfall–and all the public is invited to attend, particularly disaster survivors, first responders, recovery workers, and anyone affected by Superstorm Sandy.

The events are organized by the Brooklyn Long-Term Recovery Group, along with support from the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, Brooklyn Community Foundation, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and other local organizations.

“Along with communities in Staten Island, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, we will assemble to remember our losses and honor how our communities came together to recover and rebuild. We can each stay with our community and still be united,” wrote the Recovery Group in a statement.

Here is a link to an interactive map of locations with a description of the event on top as well as other event details.  Click the candles for info on the lead organization and contact person is at each location.

http://www.zeemaps.com/view?group=701389&x=-73.956202&y=40.650363&z=6

In addition to marking the anniversary of the disaster, we hope to encourage people to sign up for a caseworker for help with unmet needs and also to sign up for Build It Back, the deadline for which is 10/31.  Mental health professionals from Project Hope and other social services organizations with expertise in disaster counseling will be at each site to offer support.