MYFOXNY.COM -
An Amtrak train from New Orleans arrived in Newark full of storm relief items from Hurricane Katrina victims on Saturday.
New Dorp, Staten Island where Sandy's surge ruined hundreds of homes had hundreds of volunteers working with officials in Hoboken and Bayonne to pick up the pieces and help distribute the relief items.
"The water height is right where the sheet rock is," said one volunteer.
Flood water reached above the windows inside Rudy's home. Saturday morning, several people helped him clear out the debris.
"Touching, heartwarming is not near enough to describe what's going on," said Subi Gadelsayed. "These people are taking time out of their lives to help us."
Gadelsayed was also feeling overwhelmed with debris everywhere in the backyard and then a group just showed up and started cleaning up.
"Without these 25 hands with me I wouldn't be able to do anything," added Gadelsayed.
Among the hundreds of volunteer's one group, who drove up from New Orleans to help out, because they know firsthand about the struggles that lie ahead for this community.
"It's called love," said volunteer Walt Street.
Zatarains jambalaya was served with love from Hurricane Katrina victims like Walt Street who drove up from Louisiana to help those suffering through Sandy.
"As we say it right here – we pay forward from New Orleans to you," said Street.
"I was right on the other side of that line and it's nice to be able to give back," said Dudley Passman, Zatarains Dir. of Food Service Sales.
"You can't shake everyone's hand but if I could just go up to each one of them and tell them how grateful I am," said storm victim Lorett Downey.
Downey and her family lost their home. They pulled photos from the rubble and little Aiden says they haven't lost their faith.
"It's all that even matters – nothing else except for family, and love and memories," said Aiden Downey.
"I love this kid … he brings tears to my eyes," said Lorett Downey
