by storm. Millions of people have been left without power and have found their
homes and personal property destroyed. As the affected cities evaluate the damage
and assess the repercussions of the storm, New York City, the center of America's
fashion industry went to work.
Over the past weekend over 30 stores helped to bring in impressive amounts of money to donate back to their city. Inside many stores shoppers were able to directly donate money to the American Red Cross, such as H&M, Chantecaille Cosmetics, Shop Design Spark, DanniJo, Natori and many more. Designers including Ralph Lauren, Rachel Roy, and Diane von Furstenberg have all encouraged their Twitter followers to support the hurricane relief efforts. They encouraged them to make $10 donations to the Red Cross by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999. You are still able to donate to The American Red Cross.
Along with the American Red Cross, many stores would take straight donations. Stores such as Barney's New York City pledged to donate $50,000 minimum to relief efforts. Rachel Comey, an NYC hip new designer has pledged to donate 15 percent of all online purchases. Along with Barney's, TOMS pledged to donate $5 from every shoe purchase and $10 from every eye wear purchase to Save the Children, a support group for homeless children due to the storm. Many families were also left without basic necessities, such as power, food and water. Bloomingdales donated 250,000 bottles of water and encouraged shoppers to donate money, ending in a total of 500,000 bottles of water donated. Alice & Olivia also donated basic needs such as diapers, formula, baby food, batteries and blankets.
Along with TOMS, Lacoste is also looking out for children by starting a 3 week Toy Drive at their New York City location and select stores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The company is promising to match every toy brought in. Celebrities such as Peter Facinelli, Katy Perry and Beyonce have been spotted donating to Lacoste. They are still currently accepting gifts!
Now you may ask yourself; How can I help? Though most of these benefits and donations ended this weekend, that shouldn't stop you from doing your part. Donate to FEEMA or The Food Bank for New York City. Anyone is able to help out, no donation is too small. The Mayor has created a fund to give back to the city. Find this donation page at https://www.nyc.gov/html/fund/html/donate/donate.shtml
Get prepared: If you are currently in the city you are able to join the American Response team It is a 10 week training program that provides you with basic response skills so you can help out when the next disaster strikes.
If you are a twitter junkie, as I said earlier, The American Red Cross is still accepting donations, follow them for information on volunteering and donating. Something as simple as a follow can help the lives of our fellow Americans.
Get out there and help the victims of Hurricane Sandy!
Post Your Thoughts & Questions!
Want to learn more about it? More information can be found at the following links:
