Hurricane Sandy: Fairfield Stags Respond
As our community and many other communities along the East coast continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy, Fairfield University has gathered the following information to help organize relief efforts for and bring together resources that are available to all those affected by the storm.
This information will be updated as additional relief efforts become available. We encourage all members of our University community, faculty, staff, students, and alumni to get involved or contact us if you are in need of assistance at this critical time.
Following are some of the many ways you can get involved or access resources:
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Update
January 2013
As we welcome in 2013, most senior students who live at the beach have now returned to their homes. This is following the mandatory evacuation back on Sunday, October 28, 2012, the day before Hurricane Sandy arrived. While a vast majority of the 300 or so seniors are able to return, a small handful did lose their rental homes permanently and have secured alternate housing. For the most part, the beach has been restored to its pre-storm condition but one need not look far to see reminders of the devastation caused by this powerful storm. Our seniors feel very fortunate given the many families up and down the east coast who lost so much more.
Students and parents are being encouraged to take sound precautionary measures in the event of another weather event in the future. For now, this tradition of student living for Fairfield seems to have weathered the storm. Of course, this is not just about having a place to live, but recognizing the role each of us has in the community. Since the storm, many members of the University have come together to show their support not only for the previously displaced seniors living at the beach, but for the broader communities in the surrounding towns, as well as for the families of students and employees impacted by the storm.
View Service Videos
A wonderful documentary, A Sandy Silver Lining, put together by some of our students including Dan Bruno and Rachel Greco.
See how student, faculty, and alumni volunteers came together for a major volunteer cleanup program at Fairfield Beach on Sunday, Nov. 10.
Read two brief reflections from alumni who worked at the beach cleanup.
Volunteer Your Time
Next Service Trip: The date for our next Sandy Relief volunteer day has been changed to Saturday, February 9. We will work on mold removal in homes in either Rockaway, NY or South Brooklyn. Below are more details from our contact person:
- Number of Volunteers:10 - 15, Volunteers will be broken into groups of 8 - 15
- Start/End Time of Project: 9 a.m. project start time, 3:30 p.m. project end time (does not include travel time)
- Location: Rockaways, Queens
- Special Skills Requested: Construction skills preferred, although training will be provided before the start of the project for inexperienced volunteers.
- Supplies: Tools and protective personal equipment (including Tyvek suits, respiratory face masks, work gloves, and safety goggles) will be provided onsite.
Volunteers should bring/wear:
- Sturdy, closed-toed shoes (e.g., work or hiking boots)
- Long sleeves and pants made of thick material (e.g., jeans, carpenters, or cargo pants)
- Warm, layered clothing that can get dirty
- An optional change of clothes for the end of the day (don't forget socks!)
- Lunch and personal water supply
If you are interested in volunteering, please register at www.fairfield.edu/osl/osl_events.html
Rockaway Service Trips
First Saturday of each month: February 9, March 2, April 6, May 4
The Center for Faith and Public Life's JUHAN Program (Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network) will be arranging days of service in Rockaway, New York, which was badly hit by Hurricane Sandy, on the first Saturday of each month during the spring semester. Faculty and staff participants are welcomed. We plan to partner with RockawayHelp, a group of Rockaway natives working to organize resources and support the area's recovery after Hurricane Sandy's devastation, and New York Cares. Thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and some residents are still without power. Participants will depart from the university at ~7:45a.m. and return by ~5 p.m.
If you are interested in joining us for an upcoming trip, please register at www.fairfield.edu/osl/osl_events.html. Contact Julie Mughal, Assistant Director, Center for Faith and Public Life (jmughal@fairfield.edu) with any questions you may have. Transportation will be provided. Spots are limited based on van and driver availability.
December Trip to Rockaway
The Center for Faith and Public Life's JUHAN Student Leadership Group (Jesuit University Humanitarian Action Network) arranged a trip to Rockaway, New York on Saturday, December 1. We partnered with RockawayHelp, a group of Rockaway natives working to organize resources and support the area's recovery after Hurricane Sandy's devastation.
Class Projects
Fairfield University students in Dr. Lisa Mainiero's class Leading and Managing MG 240 recognize that times of crisis call for leadership. They undertook the following initiatives to help the Hurricane Sandy relief effort:
Bake Sale
- On Friday, November 16, the class held a Bake Sale in the BCC to earn funds for the relief efforts.
Collection
- On Saturday, November 17, at the Fairfield University town bookstore, there was a donation table asking for cash donations as well as supplies, specifically to give to the Fairfield Community Relief fund.
Two students, Chris Merone and Jerry Bivona, dropped off over 50 coats and over $200 worth of school supplies that were collected by the Leading and Managing class.
Candy Cane Drive
- On Tuesday, December 4, Management students held a Candy Cane Drive and Bake Sale at the BCC. For a dollar donation, students sent a candy cane to a friend to raise funds for the relief efforts. In addition, Christmas cookies and other holiday baked goods were provided for sale to raise funds.
Donations
Funds are being raised with the express purpose to benefit Operation Hope CT, as well as provide funds to purchase toys for children in the most devastated areas affected by Hurricane Sandy who have lost their homes and their way of life.
Monetary donations go to the Fairfield Community Relief Fund through Operation Hope CT and/or the Red Cross. Clothing donations will go to the Salvation Army to help the people of NYC and NJ, and other supplies collected, such as school supplies, books or toys, will be delivered directly by Fairfield University students in MG 240 to schools and communities in the affected areas.
For more information, contact:
Lisa A. Mainiero, Ph.D.
Full Professor, Management and Leadership, Charles F Dolan School of Business, lmainiero@fairfield.edu
Bridgeport Rescue Mission
1088 Fairfield Ave.
Bridgeport, CT
(203) 540-5448
The mission is looking for volunteers to hand out meals from their mobile soup kitchen at various locations. Please call Jennifer Christie Jump at (203) 333-4087, ext. 116
Connecticut Food Bank College Volunteer Nights
CT Food Bank Fairfield Warehouse
74 Linwood Avenue
Fairfield, Conn.
On the fourth Wednesday of each month (January 23; February 27; March 27; April 24), help fill bags of child-friendly food items for the Kid's Backpack Program, which currently serves more than 2,000 school-age children each weekend. Contact Kim Damien at (203) 469-5000 or kdamien@ctfoodbank.org if you have questions.
The Connecticut Food Bank virtual food drive is at http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=5352
Make a Donation
Donate Supplies
Campus Ministry Food Drive
Campus Ministry held a collection in December for the following food items for delivery to Operation Hope in Fairfield, Conn. and to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission in Bridgeport, Conn.
- Canned goods
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- Cereal
- Soap
- Toilet paper
Contact Campus Ministry at (203) 254-4000, ext. 3405 about further donations.
Operation Hope Food Pantry
636 Old Post Rd.
Fairfield, CT
(203) 292-5588
Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
You may also donate home-cooked meals for families of 4-6, such as hearty stews and casseroles that may be frozen.
Bridgeport Rescue Mission
Food & Clothing Donation Center
1069 Connecticut Ave., Unit 2B
Bridgeport, CT
Drop-off anytime Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Make a Donation
AmeriCares
Catholic Charities
Red Cross
Save the Children
Salvation Army
Fairfield University Fund
To help Fairfield students who have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy, make a gift to The Fairfield Fund at www.fairfield.edu/give. Please be sure to enter "Hurricane Sandy" in the comment field.
Fairfield Residents Fund
The Town of Fairfield has partnered with Operation Hope to launch a disaster relief fund for Fairfield residents affected by Storm Sandy.
- By check: Make checks payable to OH-FFLD Storm Sandy RF or OH-FFLD Storm Sandy and indicate the donation is for the Fairfield Storm Sandy Relief Fund. Donations can be mailed or dropped off at Operation Hope's administrative office at 636 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.
- Pay by credit card: Go online to www.operationhopect.org and click on the donate link at the top of the page. When making an online contribution, please indicate that your donation is to be used for the Fairfield Storm Sandy Relief Fund in the drop-down box on the right.
- Cash donations: Cash contributions are being accepted at Operation Hope (636 Old Post Road); receipts will be provided.
- Gift certificates can be mailed to or made in person at Operation Hope at the 636 Old Post Road address.
Give Blood
Red Cross
On-Campus Resources for Students
Counseling & Psychological Services: Professional therapists are available to assist students impacted by Hurricane Sandy. CPS is located in Dolan Hall, near the Health Center. Call (203) 254-4000, ext. 2146 or stop in between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Campus Ministry: Pastoral Counseling is available to any and all students, faculty, or staff impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Drop by the Pedro Arrupe Campus Ministry Center on the ground floor of the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius of Loyola, call ext. 3405 or e-mail Rev. George Collins, S.J. at gcollins1@fairfield.edu
Financial Aid: Contact Financial Aid at (203) 254-4000, ext. 4125, or visit them in the Kelley Welcome Center
Office of the Dean of Students: Contact the dean's office at (203) 254-4000, ext. 4211 or visit their office in the Barone Campus Center, fourth floor
Office of Residence Life: Call (203) 254-4000, ext. 4215 or visit them in the Barone Campus Center, Lower Lobby
Office of Alumni Relations: Call (203) 254-4280, visit them at Alumni House, or e-mail alumni@fairfield.edu
Off-Campus Resources for Students
FEMA
Register with FEMA if you have property damage at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-3362
Hurricane Sandy Student Task Force
FUSA, IRHA, The Mirror, JUHAN and many other student leaders and student organizations have come together to plan initiatives and be a resource for students impacted by Hurricane Sandy. To contact the task force, e-mail FUSA president Rob Vogel at robert.vogel@student.fairfield.edu.
Town of Fairfield Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Saturday, December 1
In an effort to help residents that have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy, a special household hazardous waste collection has been scheduled for Saturday, December 1. This will provide an outlet for residents to properly dispose of their household hazardous waste.
The collection will take place at Veterans Park, from 8 a.m. to Noon. Residents who use the collection should pre-register by e-mailing ask.hazwaste@rwater.com or calling (203) 401-2712. Residents should simply leave a message that they are planning to attend and, if possible, let us know the estimated amount of waste they will be delivering.
The town will be looking for Volunteers to help with the event. Volunteers will not be handling any Hazardous Waste. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Michael Zembruski at (203) 256-3023 or MZembruski@town.fairfield.ct.us.
Education and FAQs
University Communications including FAQs Related to Hurricane Sandy
Ideas for Hurricane Sandy Relief Projects?
If you have an idea for a relief project, please contact Julie Mughal at jmughal@fairfield.edu.
If you are a Fairfield alumnus who has an idea for a relief project in your local Alumni Chapter area, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@fairfield.edu.
Contact Us
E-mail: sandyrelief@fairfield.edu
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FairfieldUSandyRelief
Hurricane Sandy: Fairfield Stags Respond Committee Members
| Wylie Smith Blake | Campus Minister |
| Rev. George Collins, S.J. | Director of Campus Ministry |
| Danielle Corea | Program Coordinator, Center for Faith & Public Life |
| William Johnson | Associate Dean of Students & Director of Student Diversity Programs |
| Joseph DeFeo | Associate Dean of Students & Director of Jesuit Mission Initiatives |
| James Fitzpatrick | Assistant Vice President for Administration & Student Affairs |
| Dan Kagdis | Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission |
| Fred Kuo | Director of Student Involvement |
| Colleen McGinn | Associate Director Alumni Relations |
| Julie Mughal | Assistant Director, Center for Faith & Public Life |
| Steve Parker | Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission |
| Melissa Quan | Associate Director, Center for Faith & Public Life; Director of Service Learning |
| Todd Pelazza | Director, Department of Public Safety |
| Robert Vogel '13 | FUSA President |