Our Community

With a new storm upon us today and many of our own community still without power or heat I continue to think of the two unused schools that are sitting empty.  Many communities across the Island have turned their active school buildings into warming centers. It seems to me that would be a great use of the space we have here in West Islip. These two schools have been a source of divisiveness for the past year or so. The patch reports close to 1,400 people still in West Islip without power.  

What if we took one of those unused schools and for the short term made it a relief center for our community.  I think the building are maintained and have heat and lights.  This community is filled with volunteers with big hearts. Why not come together in one central place to collect and distribute - food, supplies clothes and maybe a place to just take a moment and regroup from the daily grind of chaos. These schools have kitchens to cook if meals are required - FEMA and Red Cross could have space to work and assist members of the community. Members of the community could charge electronics and possibialy use computers to keep in touch with family and loved ones. Maybe we could also have our high School Aged kids come down and volunteer - color  of play in the gym - tutor after school.  True Community service at it’s greatest.  

This center could also help those who come into our community (teachers,shop owners) who travel in and provide services but who are also suffering the effects of Sandy.  Meals to bring home at the end of the day, could help take a little pressure off. The workers from both here and around the country who are working to get our community restored would have a place to get coffee and have a bathroom.  

This is a way for the community to pull together and to help one another.  

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.