In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, from the Rockaways to Red Hook, GS students have provided relief to ravaged communities.
Central Park Medical Unit
Postbac Premed student Gabe Tissian was one of several Columbians who, in his role as a EMT, assisted with Sandy relief efforts through the Central Park Medical Unit.
“As a medic, I worked more or less nonstop during the first week and a half of November. I was heavily involved in the patient evacuations from NYU Langone Hospital and Bellevue Hospital, and my unit was the only medical support for unofficial marathon that took place,” Tissian said.
Gallery Brooklyn
Prior to the storm, GS student Jeremy Hoffeld was preparing for his latest art exhibition Let Go: Urgency Art Show at Gallery Brooklyn in Red Hook, which was set to open on Sat., Nov. 3. Although Hurricane Sandy decimated many Red Hook homes and businesses, Gallery Brooklyn was one of the few fortunate businesses that were not flooded and retained power.
Given the gallery’s luck, owners decided to proceed with Hoffeld’s show and donate a percentage of the profits to the Red Hook Initiative. They also allowed the organization to set up an office in the back of the gallery to process FEMA claims for hurricane relief. Since the show’s opening, more than $1,100 has been raised for recovery efforts, and the Hoffeld’s show runs until Dec. 8.
Premedical Association and Social Justice Medicine
On Sun., Nov. 4, nine Social Justice Medicine and Premedical Association members volunteered at The Riverside Church in Morningside Heights to collecting and sorting food and clothing donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, Social Justice Medicine hosted a food drive to donate to relief efforts; donations were also brought to Riverside Church.
Team Rubicon
Many Columbia student- and alumni-veterans representing Columbia College, Columbia Business School, the School of Continuing Education, the School of General Studies and the School of Nursing continue to spend time volunteering with Team Rubicon, which, according to the organization’s website, “unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with medical professionals to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations.” For Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, this has meant everything from shoveling piles of sand off of streets and driveways in Rockaway, Queens, to packing up trucks with supplies in the East Village.
GS student Patrick Kelley volunteered with Team Rubicon in Rockaway, Queens, and was shocked at the destruction.
“The damage was both surprising and humbling. Despite the destruction, however, the commitment to the relief efforts of Columbia student-veterans has been incredible,” Kelley said.
