For any of you who may have been living under the biggest, most elevated rock in all the land, our fair city has just endured one hell of a hurricane. Thankfully, none of our writers have suffered serious damages, but in many parts of the city and tri-state area, the same cannot be said.

As a New Yorker (relatively fresh, but I maintain that I am one..) it breaks my heart to see all the destruction that bitch Sandy brought with her. I was lucky this time around, and there is virtually no damage in my neighborhood, but I feel like it’s my duty as a human being to help those who didn’t fall into the lucky few. As such, I spent some time volunteering with Occupy Sandy the weekend following the storm and gathered some photos for those of us who may be coddled in mid-borough neighborhoods where there are only a few trees down.

Observe:

It’s undeniable that Hurricane Sandy had an impact on our city like no storm previously has. Our subway systems suffered unprecedented damage in the 108 years they’ve been in operation. As rough as that is for the 99% of us who take the trains on a regular basis, at least we have power, roofs, warm meals, hot showers and heat. So many people still don’t, despite the fact that Sandy hit over two weeks ago.

It’s unfortunate that it takes something so devastating to remind each of us that we’re human and we have to help each other, but now that we can see this, it’s up to us to take action to repair the relationships we have with one another. It will be months before New York is fully recovered, and in the meantime, the city is going to need us more than ever.

Volunteer and donation opportunities for Sandy relief efforts:

(This is a short list. There are so many more.)

Occupy Sandy

Red Hook Initiative

The Lower East Side Recovers

New York Cares

American Red Cross

Brooklyn Brewery Sandy relief

The Brooklyn Kitchen

Benefit shows:

Gotham City Improv– Friday night shows

Louis C.K. Live for Project Hospitality

Dumbo BID Fundraiser

“Anything But Politics”

The Bell House & Pretty Good Friends’ Hurricane Relief Benefit

SandyHatesBooks

and other various shows (Check Brooklyn Vegan for one lineup)