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.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:05:15 GMT
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
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.
