VOL Relief Fund Launches; Weekend Benefit Raises $2,500 for It

So many living South of Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst have been severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

And since the historic October 29 storm there's been an outpouring of help from within the community to help get residents back on their feet while they pick up the pieces left after the storm's record-high tidal surge washed away homes and memories built up over a lifetime.

Relief Fund
Adding to that help, and facing significant damages of many residential homes in Lindy, the Village has launched the Village of Lindenhurst Relief Fund.

It's set up to raise money to directly pass along to those Village residents who've been affected by Hurricane Sandy, according to Village officials.

In a release Mayor Tom Brennan said, "The Village of Lindenhurst was one of the hardest hit areas on Long Island. National media outlets have covered Sandy’s impact in Lindenhurst with thousands of residents feeling major disruptions to their quality of life."

As such, this fund will be accepting donations, and "100 percent of the money raised will go back to families in need," Village Administrator Shawn Cullinane told Lindenhurst Patch.

Fundraiser Held
And just this past weekend a fundraiser  - the Hurricane Sandy Relief benefit Concert - was held at the BACCA Arts Center in Lindenhurst where local Long Island musicians banded together and put on a charity performance that raised approximately $2,500 for the Fund, said Cullinane, who's also the BACCA Board president.

It included raffles and refreshments that were also sold to help benefit the Fund.

"Several musicians came to us and wanted to do something to help, and so we were able to offer them the use of the Center," he said. "It was a great show. The place was packed. And the money raised will go directly into the Relief Fund."

The Details
The Fund will be administered by the Village of Lindenhurst, and it'll be overseen by Mayor Brennan along with Deputy Mayor Kevin McCaffrey, Village Clerk Treasurer Shawn Cullinane and Anthony Manetta, who'll act as the Fund’s volunteer director, according to the same release.

Manetta is the former communications advisor to the Village, and currently serves as the CEO of the Suffolk County IDA.

"We'll be reaching out to corporate sponsors and individuals seeking to donate. We're also discussing how to apply for funds and the process for determining the requirements for applications," Cullinane explained.

However, while the Village is administering the Fund, Cullinane noted the Fund isn't something started by the Village, as the Village is prohibited by New York state law from giving money to residents directly.

"It's against the New York state constitution to give money, whether it's to help or not," he said.

But the Village wanted to do something to faciliate donations for residents in the wake of Sandy. That's why the Village set it up separately this way, and it's a special revenue and not part of the budget, he said.

Where to Donate
Anyone who wishes to donate to the Village of Lindenhurst Relief Fund can do so securely online at www.VillageofLindenhurst.com/relief.htm, according to Village officials.

Check donations could be mailed to Village of Lindenhurst Relief Fund, 430 South Wellwood Avenue, Lindenhurst, NY 11757.

Questions could be directed to Cullinane at Village Hall at 631-957-7500, as he'll be handling the logistics at this time, he said.

Questions could also be e-mailed to relief@villageoflindenhurst.com.

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