Knights of Columbus aid Hurricane Sandy relief efforts

Nov 1, 2012 / 23:07 pm

The Knights of Columbus is making an immediate $100,000 donation to assist with Hurricane Sandy relief, dividing it equally between the state councils of New York and New Jersey.

"Knights have a long tradition of providing disaster relief, and this is no exception," said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.

"Our communities need our time, our help, and our financial assistance, and we are going to do all that we can – working closely with our local and state councils – to help those most in need as a result of this storm."

The donation is being made by the Knights' Supreme Council, in conjunction with state and local councils in the northeast of the United States.

In addition to the $100,000 donation, the Knights have started an online donation drive. They are accepting contributions from both Knights and the general public, with one hundred percent of the proceeds going directly to relief efforts.

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in the U.S. on Oct. 29 and proceeded to sweep through the northeast, killing more than 80.

Around 4.5 million remain without power in their homes. Hundreds of thousands will not have power restored until at least next week.

Transportation has been crippled in the region. Swaths of the New York City subway are still out of commission, and Amtrak does not plan to resume its train service in the area until Nov. 2. Boardwalks on the coast have been swept away in many areas.

In West Virginia, Sandy collided with an arctic blast, leaving as much as five feet of snow on the ground.

Eqecat, a catastrophe risk modeling firm, estimates the costs of the storm could cost up to $50 billion in economic losses.

Catholic Charities agencies along the East Coast are assessing the damage left by Hurricane Sandy and respond to the needs of those left in its wake. The agencies will be setting up distribution sites in the region to provide for whatever needs arise.