Black Friday has most New Yorkers rushing out to get deals but for Hurricane Sandy victims, they're concentrating on putting their lives back together.
Aiman Youssef said he wasn't concerned about finding Black Friday bargains. He's concerned about finding a place to live.
"I think a lot of people didn't go out on Black Friday because it's a sad day, but instead came here to help the community," said Youssef.
Youssef, like so many others on Staten Island, lost everything during Hurricane Sandy. His home along Midland Avenue will have to be torn down. Youssef has been sleeping under a tent outside his home amongst the piles of donated clothing.
"Day-by-day we are trying to repair our lives. We don't care about Black Friday – we care about living," said Youssef.
Youssef had a business he operated from home but he says his computers and records were wiped out during the storm.
Now his work with the Midland Avenue Neighborhood Relief, the group he helped form after Sandy is a full time job.
Day and night, he helps coordinate the volunteer effort while taking donations from people like Frank Romano, who skipped the mall today so he could help instead.
"We can go to the mall any other time," said Romano. "There's always other days, there's nothing that special that going to do anything for anybody else."
By Aiman's count, 4500 people came here Thursday to help out and serve Thanksgiving meals.
Thankful, not for new TV's of DVD players – but for each other.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:47 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:47:54 GMT
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
Thursday, May 16 2013 4:28 PM EDT2013-05-16 20:28:43 GMT
Gov. Chris Christie has announced plans to use $300 million in federal funding to buy out homeowners whose properties have flooded repeatedly, especially during Superstorm Sandy.
Gov. Chris Christie has announced plans to use $300 million in federal funding to buy out homeowners whose properties have flooded repeatedly, especially during Superstorm Sandy.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:18:16 GMT
Great Britain's Prince Harry visited several towns along the Jersey Shore that were devastated by superstorm Sandy.
Great Britain's Prince Harry visited several towns along the Jersey Shore that were devastated by superstorm Sandy. The prince began the tour Tuesday morning with a stop in Mantoloking with Gov. Chris Christie followed by a visit to Seaside Heights.
With two weeks to go before the summer crowds arrive, New Jersey shore towns are in a race to finish rebuilding boardwalks wrecked by Superstorm Sandy.
With two weeks to go before the summer crowds arrive, New Jersey shore towns are in a race to finish rebuilding boardwalks wrecked by Superstorm Sandy.
Friday, May 3 2013 6:35 PM EDT2013-05-03 22:35:57 GMT
In the six months since Superstorm Sandy the ASPCA has been patching up Cairo, a pit bull terrier mix, but he is still looking for a home. He was about five months old when he was found abandoned in Brooklyn
In the six months since Superstorm Sandy the ASPCA has been patching up Cairo, a pit bull terrier mix, but he is still looking for a home. He was about five months old when he was found abandoned in Brooklyn
Tuesday, April 30 2013 10:03 PM EDT2013-05-01 02:03:55 GMT
Ever since Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the Jersey shore last October, officials have planned for a new system of protective sand dunes along the entirety of the 127-mile coast.
Ever since Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the Jersey shore last October, officials have planned for a new system of protective sand dunes along the entirety of the 127-mile coast.
