CERG

New - here is an article in the Staten Island Advance pn June 1, 2013 about work being done http://www.silive.com/worship/2013/06/staten_island_volunteer_effort.html

Hurricane Sandy affected many Unitarian Universalists in our region. A few UU Congregations experienced direct damage, including the UU Congregation of Greater Canton, OH, which had its roof tear partly off in the winds. A number of other congregations in the hardest hit areas near the coast lost power for days. Others opened their doors to become re-charging and warming-up centers for those waiting for the power crews to repair the extensive damage. Many UUs in New York and New Jersey personally lost or suffered damage to possessions, cars and homes. Hardest hit was CERG's Metro NY District. Andrea Lerner and the other district staff have been personally driving in with supplies to those in need as well as coordinating efforts with a Federal Emergency Management Agency Voluntary Agency Liaison.. UUWorld.org published a summary on November 2. Check for updates at the CERG Sandy Relief Facebook page.

CERG UU Disaster Relief Fund

The Central East Regional Group (CERG) has established the CERG UU Disaster Relief Fund to collect donations to assist fellow UU with storm damage clean up and members' immediate needs and in the rebuilding efforts. Funds will be used to provide the basics needed for UUs who have been displaced or in need of emergency support to cope with the aftermath of the storm, to assist congregations in rebuilding damage when their insurance is not adequate to cover the repairs, and to support congregations who are working in the lair larger communities. After all needs are met, if there are monies left over, the fund will be maintained for future CERG regional relief efforts. All contributions are to be sent to: CERG-UUA, 100 W 10th St Ste 1008, Wilmington DE 19801. Contributions can also be made online with PayPal.

To date, the fund has raised over $300,000 and we thank those of you who have donated to this effort.

Funds have already been distributed to congregations at Staten Island NY, Freeport NY, Hastings-on-Hudson NY, Lincroft NY, and Manhattan NY Fourth, and supplies have been distributed to Manhattan NY Fourth, Freeport NY, and Brooklyn NY First. Other UU-related organizations active in relief services are the UU Trauma Response Ministry and Disaster Chaplaincy Services.

If you wish to apply for financial aid for repairs to your congregation’s campus, for repairs to a member’s home, or for your work in the community for storm relief, please contact your district executive for an application. In Joseph Priestley, contact Rev. Richard Speck at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; in Metro NY contact Andrea Lerner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; in St. Lawrence, contact Rev. Chris Neilson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and in Ohio-Meadville contact Rev. Joan Van Becelaere at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Congregational Stories

Central Unitarian Church (Paramus NJ), the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood (NJ), and the UU Congregation of the Palisades (Englewood (NJ) have combined Sandy relief efforts in creating the Bergen UU Relief Group (BUURG), focusing time, talent, and treasure on families from Bergen County who have been directly effected by Sandy. BUURG hopes to partner with an adhoc non-profit focused on Moonachie and Little Ferry. A benefit fundraising concert has been scheduled for December 1, and volunteers will perform "feet on the street" activities.

The Unitarian Church of All Souls (Manhattan) collected nearly $10,000 and a truck full of donated goods for the hurricane Sandy relief effort. The goods were delivered to Staten Island and Red Hook, Brooklyn. The First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn (NY) collected more than $9000 for hurricane relief and delivered food and cleaning supplies to Staten Island and Red Hook, and the Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan) delivered a truck full of supplies to the Unitarian Church of Staten Island (NY), one of the staging centers assisting with recovery efforts in the area. Wrote the Rev. Susan Karlson, minister at the Unitarian Church of Staten Island, "We are working with other area Unitarian Universalist congregations and many of our interfaith and community organization neighbors to serve many people on Staten Island so badly in need of care, and to help assist people from all over the country to get their donations to where they are needed most."

Links to Facebook Pages and blogs with more information and photos:

• CERG Sandy Relief Facebook Page
• Minister Rev. Susan Karlson's blog, minister at the Unitarian CHurch of Staten Island.
• Unitarian Church of All Souls (Manhattan)'s Hurricane Sandy Relief Work Facebook Page
• First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn's Facebook Page where they are organizing assistance
• 4th Universalist Society in the City of New York has also been working to assist those in need
• Unitarian Church of Staten Island who coordinated supplies for the area.

The UU Congregation of Greater Canton suffered roof damage during the storm, which has resulted in water damage to the interior of the building including loss of electronics, classroom supplies, wall and ceiling damage and more. The estimate cost of repairs are as high as $30,000 and insurance will only cover a small portion of that cost. The current Chalice Lighter call that went out on November 3 is designated to benefit Canton's repair efforts as well as contribute to the CERG UU Disaster Relief Fund.