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EXTREME DISASTERS CREATE CONTINUOUS NEED FOR RED CROSS AID

Austin Tang — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:52:35 +0000

Listen to “EXTREME DISASTERS CREATE CONTINUOUS NEED FOR RED CROSS AID” on Spreaker.

The first 50 days of 2025 have set a whirlwind pace as American Red Cross volunteers have responded to more big disasters than days so far this year — including record wildfires in southern California and devastating floods in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. This comes on the heels of 2024, which saw the second-highest number of billion-dollar disasters in a single year marked by extreme events like Hurricanes Helene and Milton.¹

In the face of these trends that have upended thousands of lives, Red Cross volunteers are now responding to nearly twice as many major disasters than a decade ago — and relying on generous donations to be able to deliver emergency shelter, food, relief supplies, financial assistance and more.

These major disasters are also taking a hidden toll on communities and exacerbating people’s long-term health problems. That’s why the Red Cross makes sure that people have access to basic health care and emotional support at emergency shelters after disasters. This can include helping to replace lost prescription medications and medical equipment.

What’s more, these massive events are on top of everyday crises like home fires and storms — which are just as devastating to the families suffering from them. All told, generous donations make it possible for Red Cross volunteers to respond every 8 minutes to help families in need across the country.

Anne McKeough, chief development officer, American Red Cross, will discuss these disaster trends and how donations fuel the organization’s response to help ensure no one faces a crisis alone. She’ll also talk about how people can get involved by giving donations to help people affected by disasters big and small.

#RedCross #GivingDay

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Making Manhattan Easier for Older New Yorkers

Austin Tang — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:15:54 +0000

Our elder New Yorkers have built the city we know and love. They have spent lifetimes contributing their wisdom, experience, and resilience to shaping the best aspects of Manhattan, shaping New York into the best city in the world. For this we owe them all a huge debt of gratitude and consideration.

We must do everything we can to ensure that New Yorkers can age in place and live independent lives in the communities they love. The day-to-day challenges like getting around the city, paying rent, having access to healthy food and healthcare, or even just getting the trash out are especially burdensome on older adults.

Here in the Borough President’s office we work hard to connect older Manhattanites with resources that will help address common challenges.

And here is a new tool to help!

I’m so proud to release the office of the Manhattan Borough President’s new Senior Resource Guide. This 50+ page comprehensive guide is designed to help seniors and their families navigate the many services and programs available across all 12 of Manhattan’s community districts.

Click here to access the Senior Resource Guide:

Inside, you’ll find information on:

Senior Centers: Find a welcoming space for socializing, recreation, and learning near you.
Financial Assistance: Explore programs that can help with expenses like housing, healthcare, and food.
Health and Nutrition: Access resources for staying healthy, managing chronic conditions, and getting nutritious meals.
Transportation: Learn about options for getting around Manhattan safely and affordably.
Housing: Discover programs and services that can help seniors find and maintain safe, comfortable housing.
Legal Assistance: Get help with legal matters, including elder abuse prevention, estate planning, and benefits claims.
Companionship and Support: Connect with organizations that offer social interaction, emotional support, and friendly visiting programs.
And much more!

Please share this valuable resource with any seniors in your life who might benefit. Together, let’s ensure the well-being of Manhattanites across all ages.

And on Tuesday, October 15th, from 9:30 am – 3 pm, older adults are invited to a special, free day at the Whitney Museum that I’m co-sponsoring. No RSVP required! I hope to see you there.

If you need help with any resources for older adults or have other concerns, contact my office at 212-669-8300 or info@manhattanbp.nyc.gov.

Mark

October 15th: BP Levine’s
Hispanic Heritage Month Event

RSVP to Join Us HERE!

Join Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration honoring the contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in journalism and broadcasting. The event will feature a panel discussion on the state and future of local journalism, with a focus on the vital role played by Latino journalists.

Date: Tuesday, October 15th Time: 5:30 pm Location: Fort Washington Avenue Armory, 216 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY

For special accommodations, email: events@manhattanbp.nyc.gov

In partnership with Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Council Member Carmen de la Rosa, State Senator Robert Jackson, Assembly Member Al Taylor

Oct 19th: 1820 Manhattan Map During
Open House NY

As part of an Open House New York annual tradition, the Manhattan Borough President’s topographical bureau will display a 19th-century map made of 92 individually hand-drawn and hand-colored panels that represent the Manhattan street grid 200 years ago.

Map geeks and Manhattaphiles, come see this 16 ft. x 60 ft. map on Saturday, October 19th from 10 am – 2 pm at our office in the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building, 19th Floor South, 1 Centre St.

Learn More about Open House NY

BP Levine’s Leadership Training
Series Returns

From October 28th – November 2nd, we’ll be hosting our yearly Leadership Training Series, including conflict of interest and equal employment training sessions (mandatory for community board members). Other trainings will be about land use, open data, and more. All sessions are open to the public!

Follow Mark Levine

Do you enjoy helping your community? Do you have some extra time?

Year round, the Manhattan Volunteer Corps helps out with community clean-ups, clothing drives, boroughwide events, and more. It’s a great way to give back to your fellow New Yorkers and get to know your neighbors across Manhattan.

No matter what you’re interested in or what your skills are, we’ve got a spot for you on Team Levine. We’ve got a packed schedule for the fall and winter, so sign up now to join the Manhattan Volunteer Corps!

Volunteer With Us!

Now Open: High School Applications

Public high school applications are now open for fall 2025, so refer to the graphic above and this page from the Department of Education on the dates you need to know and how to apply. Although middle school applications were supposed to open this week, they’ve been delayed to next week. The Dept. of Education will email prospective middle school families on October 15 with the updated timeline and more information

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COPO Organization (a 501(c)(3) charitable organization) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) awareness, click for videos n podcasts…

admin — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 18:41:25 +0000

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The COPO Organization (a 501(c)(3) charitable organization) will be producing a dramatic short film to increase Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) awareness.

It is requesting your participation in spreading the word to assist in raising the necessary funds through the Crowdrise platform.

Please join in this important effort to create a positive message for the hundreds of thousands and their families who suffer from this debilitating condition. You may participate by enlisting on the funding team and/or by making a tax deductible contribution.

Check out the link below and click on the “Join The Team” button. Your assistance as a team member will be reflected in the credits.

https://www.crowdrise.com/copos-ptsd-health-initiative

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USCIS New York Offers Assistance to Those Who Lost Immigration Documents in Harlem Explosion

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 13:24:31 +0000

The New York District of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extends deepest sympathies to all who have suffered losses as a result of the tragic gas explosion in Harlem this week.

USCIS encourages anyone who lost immigration documentation as a direct result of the explosion and building collapse to promptly apply for a replacement.

Examples of documents critical to replace are: the Naturalization Certificate (application to replace is Form N-565), the Permanent Resident Card or “Green Card” (application to replace is Form I-90), and the Employment Authorization (application is I-765). All forms are available at http://www.uscis.gov/forms or by calling 1-800-870-3676.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials will give special consideration to fee waiver requests from applicants who lost their residence or employment as a direct result of the explosion and apply to replace certain documents. USCIS will also consider waiving the fee for the collection of biometrics, which is required when filing a form I-90, if requested by a customer affected by the explosion. Fees may be waived when applicants demonstrate an inability to pay. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Naturalized citizens are encouraged to file form N-565 to replace their naturalization certificates, even if they do not have an immediate need for them. Naturalized citizens can’t replace passports, apply for a variety of benefits, or register to vote without a naturalization certificate. Filing promptly to replace a lost certificate can avoid inconvenience in the future.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

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JCC’s Manhattan Hurricane Sandy assistance and Gail Brewer Message…..

editor — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:44:03 +0000

The mission of The Jewish Community Center in Manhattan is to foster an inclusive, engaged and informed community that embraces diversity and is rooted in Jewish values. However, because of Mother Nature, In order to see the latest information on donation requests and volunteer opportunities, please see our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jccinmanhattan
You do not need to be a member of Facebook or logged in to see this information.
To make a donation to the JCC’s Hurricane Sandy assistance efforts, http://www.jcc.convio.net/donate
Gail A. Brewer
More information regarding Hurricane Sandy assistance, and Election Day. Some info is very timely…now. Best, Gale 11.5.2012
-If you are not already signed up, this notification from the City of NY is helpful. Sign up at Notify NYC
HURRICANE SANDY
-Much thanks to all who have reached out to our office for volunteer opportunities to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. We are continuing to work with local electeds throughout the boroughs to communicate these coordinated efforts, and we will share them with you. Much appreciation to Shelly Fine and his CERT Team, as well as Judy Gross and many others at The JCC in Manhattan, all of whom filled a truck on Friday to bring to the evacuation centers still open in Manhattan, and to Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens throughout the weekend. The JCC in Manhattan filled over 40 packed cars which wonderful West Side volunteers drove to Staten Island on Sunday.
Today, Monday, November 5, 2012 West Side institutions are working with former Community Board Chair Mel Wymore to fill a large truck of supplies to go to Staten Island. You could drop off supplies at JCC, 334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76 Street, NY NY up to 10pm on Monday, November 5. Items needed: blankets, toiletries, wipes, flashlights, batteries. No clothes. The truck will leave the West Side on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
I also want to thank Mike Klein, Pamela French, Jeremy Wladis and many others who have been collecting supplies at the Firehouse Restaurant and bringing them by truck to a firehouse in the Rockaways. What an outpouring of support.
Thanks too to Fairway which sent their trucks and lots of food and supplies to Staten Island over the weekend.
In addition, Rabbi Allen Schwartz, spiritual leader of Congregation Ohab Zedek, Rev. Rosemary McNatt, Senior Minister at Fourth Universalist, and many other leaders have brought support and supplies to all parts of our city where they are needed, and they have raised money. Parents associations are doing the same.
Finally, 1000 people volunteered in the clean up in Riverside Park over the weekend! Groups came from Manhattan New York Temple of the Church of Latter Day Saints, from B’nai Jeshurun (led by the wonderful David Lieberman), and hundreds more. Much thanks to Park Administrator John Herrold, the staff of the Dept of Parks, and the Riverside Park Fund.
On Monday, November 5, 2012…info from the City Council as to where assistance is needed. Staten Island Councilmember Oddo and Assemblymember Malliotakis have organized volunteers throughout the weekend. Today they are at the Staten Island Recreational Association at 599 Fr. Capodanno Blvd. from 9am to dusk and will continue to help clean out homes that have been impacted by the storm. They are in need of cleaning supplies – shovels, rakes, brooms, gloves, garbage bags, masks, toiletries and pharmaceuticals (e.g. Tyelonol, Advil, etc.). Brooklyn Red Hook Councilmember Gonzalez along with a number of local community groups have been organizing volunteers to help residents and local businesses in the Red Hook area. Volunteers should report to 402 Van Brunt Street, between 10 am – 5 pm. Coney Island Councilmember Domenic Recchia is coordinating volunteers, at 2770 West 5th St, Room 4C (nearest open F Train stop is Avenue X), and they will send you to wherever you are needed most. Park Slope The Park Slope Armory shelter (361 15th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues) continues to need volunteers who can work a 12-hour shift, starting at 8 AM or 8 PM daily. You need to be comfortable working with the elderly, disabled, and other people with special needs and you cannot bring your children. If they have too many volunteers, you may be turned away, so be prepared for that. The John Jay High School shelter (237 7th Avenue, between 4th & 5th Streets) also continues to need day, evening, and overnight volunteers. You need to be able to dedicate at least 6-8 hours and cannot bring your children.
-From Brad Hoylman: Many of my neighbors are still without heat, hot water or plumbing. In coordination with the offices of our local elected officials and the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club, we are seeking three (3) shifts of volunteers to go door-to-door in Fulton Houses and Westbeth to assist residents today, Monday, November 5.
How you can help: Show up at either 12 p.m. or 3 p.m. at the Fulton Center Auditorium (119 9th Ave between 17th and 18th Streets) to go door-to-door at Fulton Houses to assess residents’ needs. OR Show up at 4 p.m. at Westbeth (55 Bethune Street Washington and West Streets) to help carry water and other supplies to residents. hoylmanforsenate@gmail.com
-If you have collected clothes, and it is not needed for Hurricane Sandy, you can bring them to the Salvation Army at 268 West 96 Street, NY NY (212-663-2258). I imagine Housing Works will also accept clothes.
GENERAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012 – The Tuesday, November 6, 2012 General Election will be taking place as planned from 6am-9pm. Visit the Board’s website at www.vote.nyc.ny.us. On the site, you can check your registration status: https://voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us/ You can also instantly download your poll site location and a sample ballot, thanks to a new tool that I have been a strong proponent of for several years: http://gis.nyc.gov/vote/ps/index.htm If you have a smartphone, you can even download the sample ballot/poll site locator app here: http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/voters/apps.shtml. You can access more information on how to register here: http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/voters/voters.shtml. Also, if you have a valid New York State Driver’s License, you can register to vote online or change your voter information using the newly launched MyDMV website here: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/mydmv.htm#motv.
-The PDF for changes to approx. 60 poll sites is located here. It is slow to download.
http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/download/CountyBoards_StormUpdates/pollsitechangepostsandy.pdf
–http://whosontheballot.org/ is a website built by Columbia University Professor Ester Fuchs and others regarding what is on the ballot. Lots of good info.
-The NYS Board of Elections has established a toll-free number to assist voters with questions about voting, poll site changes and absentee ballots. The number is 1-855-NYS-SANDY (1-855-697-7263). Voters and poll workers can also check the NYS Board of Elections website (www.elections.ny.gov) for up-to-the-minute poll site changes. “311” can also answer questions about poll site changes as well.
-Also note that the NYC Campaign Finance Board and Mobile Commons have announced a partnership to help New Yorkers find their poll site on Election Day by text message. Text “NYCVOTES” to 877-877. The text system allows users to look up multiple poll sites. Follow the instructions provided to enter the address of the voter whose poll site you believe may have changed. Message and data rates may still apply. Customers can text ‘STOP’ to opt out of further messages. Spanish speakers can text “DONDE” to 877-877 to receive prompts in Spanish.
-Common Cause and NYPIRG Helpline 212-822-0282. National Election Protection Helpline 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Smartphones can go to http://pollwatch.us/ or text @pollwatchusa to 23559.
-Absentee ballots: Please note that the State Board of Elections extended the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to Friday, November 2. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday, November 5, and must be received by the Board of Elections no later than Monday, November 19. If you are leaving imminently, or have not yet submitted a ballot that you applied for, please visit your borough office to complete an absentee ballot in person. Borough offices will be open from 9am-9pm. Manhattan residents, visit the 450 W 33 Street Office (212-465-0503 tel and 212-465-2135 fax) to complete an absentee ballot. (Other Manhattan offices at 42 Bway and 200 Varick have power but no phone service). If you live outside of Manhattan, you can locate your borough office information here: http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/contact/offices.shtml. Note the absentee ballot requirement: Absent from your county or, if a resident of New York City, absent from said city, on Election Day. ■Unable to appear at the polls due to temporary or permanent illness or disability; or because you are the primary care giver of one or more individuals who are ill or physically disabled.■A patient or inmate in a Veterans’ Administration Hospital.■Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
-News from the wonderful West 55 Street Block Association regarding a change of polling place for Voting on Nov 6, 2012 (due to crane collapse): North side of W. 55 Street votes at John Jay College, 445 West 59th Street (301-357 West 55 Street) and the South side of the block votes, as usual, at PS 111, 440 West 53rd Street. In fact, anyone who used to vote at the Unity Center now votes at John Jay College.
-Anyone who used to vote at Bard HS, 525 E. Houston St, NY NY now votes at S 188/196 at 442 E. Houston St, NY NY
-To work at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 6: There are training classes today but some are filled. Poll workers and attorneys are still needed. Please contact the Board office before showing up. Manhattan: 3 Inspector classes for Monday November 5th, 2012 10 AM-1 PM; 12(noon) – 3 PM; and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM at Manhattan VMF, 450 West 33rd St., 8th floor (between 9th & 10th) NY, NY 10001 (212-465-0503 or sthompson@boe.nyc.ny.us). The Other 3 Boroughs are scheduling classes on an as needed basis. Bronx contact is Liz English at EEnglish@boe.nyc.ny.us Queens contact is Amanda Conacchio at aconacchio@boe.nyc.ny.us Staten Island contact is Lisa Sattie at LSattie@boe.nyc.ny.us Brooklyn has scheduled 2 basic poll worker classes at Bao Church, 401 Atlantic Avenue at Bond Street, Brooklyn at 9am ?C 12noon and 1pm ?C 4 pm. The Board of Elections, at this point, does not want people to take half day trainings but does need attorneys. Liz Fine, General Counsel for the City Council can answer questions. elizabeth.fine@council.nyc.gov
-Finally, I am worried about notifying people where the changed polling site is and getting them there. NYC BOE staff is working very hard, but New Jersey seems to be initiating a more flexible system.
EVENTS
-Monday, November 5, 2012 at 7:30pm at Advent/ Broadway Church, 2504 Broadway at 93rd St. NY NY 10025 MUSIC MONDAYS PRESENTS in the Tempest: Hosted by and Music of Thomas Adès. Performers include Todd Palmer, clarinets | Miranda Cuckson, violin| Julia Bruskin, cello | Aaron Wunsch, piano | Taka Kigawa, piano. Composer, conductor, pianist, and youngest ever winner of the Grawemeyer Award, Thomas Adès takes the podium at the Metropolitan Opera this fall to conduct his own opera The Tempest. Adès’s artistic voice is admired the world over. FREE 212-665-2504 or
www.musicmondays.org
-Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Urban Justice Center, and Goddard Riverside’s SRO Law Project sponsor free 2012-2013 Monthly Housing Clinics, 6PM-8PM at Goddard Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Ave. at 88 St., NY NY. Info: 646 459-3017 or CM Brewer at 212-873-0282. Funding is thanks to Council Member Eric Dilan, Chair, Housing Committee and initiator of the Housing Preservation Initiative of the NYC Council. On the 1st Wednesday of each month, the clinic provides a presentation, followed by questions and answers. An attorney meets with individuals who are seeking legal advice. The schedule for fall 2012 and spring 2013: ALL WEDNESDAYS November 7, 2012 ?C Roommates & Subletting; December 5, 2012 ?C HPs, Repairs, Bedbugs & Cockroaches; January 9, 2012 ?C Harassment; February 6, 2013 ?C Non-Primary Residence; March 6, 2013 ?C DHCR Overview, including MCIs & 1/40ths; April 3, 2013 ?C City-Wide Housing Related Campaigns; May 1, 2013 ?C Preferential Rents, SCRIE & DRIE; June 5, 2013 ?C Succession Rights.
-Thursday, November 8th from 9:00am – 2:00pm at Lincoln Square Synagogue, 200 Amsterdam Avenue at 69 St, NY NY. Join Uri L’Tzedek and fellow rabbinic students, rabbis and Jewish leaders for a Yom Iyun on solitary confinement and prison reform. The day will include text learning, networking, and first-hand accounts of the dangers and injustice of solitary confinement. Registration is $18 and a light breakfast will be served. Please contact Yael.Keller@utzedek.org with any questions. RSVP This event is co-sponsored by TAG Institute, Rabbis for Human Rights – North America and NRCAT.
-Sat and Sun, November 10 and 11, 2012 from 10am-5pm Tulip Planting Festival at the West Side Community Garden, between 89 and 90 Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues – MID BLOCK. Individuals and families welcome. http://www.westsidecommunitygarden.org/
-This Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 – I will be turning 32! In light of the events from the past year, months and week, I think it’s best to say simply, that I feel very lucky and grateful. On Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 3pm there will be beer, pretzels, Jenga and friends at Spritzenhaus, located at 33 Nassau Avenue, in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I completely understand between public transit disruptions, gas shortages, and Election Day exhaustion if it’s too challenging for some to join – it would be great to see you if it works and at the very least I hope we see each other soon. Shulamit Elisheva Warren swarren@council.nyc.gov (Happy Birthday, Shula, from lots of grateful people!)
-Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 6pm-8pm at the Office of Manhattan Borough President, 1 Centre Street, 19 Floor, NY NY is LOVE YOUR BLOCK Info Session sponsored by Citizens Comm for NYC. Learn how to apply for a grant to clean up your block. RSVP: Rilfredo Florentino at 212-822-9580 or wflorentino@citizensnyc.org
-@MACAULAY LAUNCHES AUTHOR SERIES ON MANHATTAN’S WEST SIDE The publishing community is collaborating on an exciting new venture: the @Macaulay Author Series. Partnering with Macaulay Honors College at CUNY 35 West 67 Street (Central Park West?CColumbus Avenue), NY NY the series will bring writers of the best in new fiction and nonfiction to our neighborhood. 7pm. Free but RSVP. Reservations online: http://macaulay.cuny.edu/rsvp. Questions: Olga.barskaya@mhc.cuny.edu or 212.729.2913. -Tuesday, November 13, 2012 -The goose-bumps-inducing R.L. Stine will share his first novel for adults, Red Rain (Touchstone/Simon&Schuster). Destined to become as enormous a best seller for grownups as his celebrated Goosebumps novels are for the young, Red Rain takes an unsuspecting travel writer to an isolated island off the South Carolina coast during hurricane season. But it’s the storm’s aftermath that confronts her with true horror. -Monday, December 10, 2012 @Macaulay presents ABC “Chew” star Carla Hall and her very personal cookbook and memoir Cooking With Love: Comfort Food That Hugs You (Free Press). A sure hit for the holidays, Cooking With Love bubbles over with family stories, refreshing recipes and culinary adventures.
-Sat and Sun, November 17 and 18, 2012 Goddard Riverside Community Center Book Fair, 593 Columbus Avenue at 88 St, NY NY. 50% off most new books. http://goddard.org/events/book-fair/
-Monday, November 19, 2012 at 5:30pm – Reception celebrating PHOTOGRAPHS of the 1st Women’s Conference in Houston, TX., Office of the Manhattan Borough President, 1 Centre Street, 19th floor, NY NY
-Monday, November 26, 2012 WINTER’S EVE AT LINCOLN SQUARE, 5:30pm-9pm, sponsored by the Lincoln Square BID in Time Warner-Lincoln Center area, 63rd Street and Broadway www.lincolnsquarebid.org. Fabulous event with free music and lots more. Volunteer at the event and get a free gift. 212-581-3774.
-Wednesday, November 28-December 24, 2012 – 9th Annual Columbus Circle Holiday Market ?Cvendors wanted. http://urbanspacenyc.com/columbus-circle-holiday-market/

POLITICAL
West Side Obama headquarters at: Broadway at 102 Street (Three Parks and Broadway Dems) and 410 Columbus Ave at 80 Street (CFD, Ansonia and Park River Dems).
If you’re interested in Election Day volunteering, to help Get Out The Vote for great candidates like Mark Murphy running for Congress, please contact Cong Nadler at (212) 352-0370. There are opportunities to phone bank, canvass, poll watch, and more.

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Haiti How Can You Help

editor — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

“Haiti How You Can Help” a special two-hour edition of Larry King Live with Ben Stiller, Scarlett Johanson and many others, and learn how you can take immediate action to aid earthquake victims. Tonight 8 p.m. ET. Also on CNN International Tuesday CET 2 a.m. and 11 a.m. / HK 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) — Slashing red tape or ignoring ordinarily required paperwork, officials in the United States and the Netherlands have cleared the way for scores of Haitian orphans to leave their earthquake-ravaged homeland, according to officials from the two countries.

All of the children had adoptions pending with prospective parents in the two countries before Tuesday’s 7.0-magnitude quake, and government officials said paperwork was expedited or put on hold to make transfers happen on an emergency basis.

300 children have pending adoption cases with American families. Six children arrived in Florida Sunday night, met by their adoptive parents with hugs and tears of happiness.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has chartered a plane to pick up about 100 children Monday, spokesman Aad Meijer told CNN.

Video: Haiti orphanage update http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/17/haiti.orphans/index.html

Video: Adopting from Haiti RELATED TOPICS

Haiti

Netherlands

Earthquakes

Dutch Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin over the weekend granted the children entry into the country, although their paperwork, including travel and adoption documents, was incomplete, Justice Ministry spokesman Patrick Mikkelsen told CNN.

About 44 of the orphans’ adoptions had yet to be approved by a Haitian judge, even though they were matched to Dutch parents, Mikkelsen said. Dutch officials may seek the remaining approvals from Haiti once the children have already settled in the Netherlands, he added.

Haiti is home to about 380,000 orphans, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund, and that number is expected to grow in the wake of Tuesday’s earthquake. And those who lived in orphanages before Tuesday may be homeless now, as reports of destroyed orphanages have come throughout the quake zone.

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