how you can help...

I have to admit something. I thought all the hoopla over the approaching storm last week was a bit overblown. Sandy is such a nice name, after all -- I mean Olivia Newton John, for crying out loud! In fact, I was sure we had another Irene in our midst (last year's tropical storm that didn't end up amounting to much).

What a mistake I made. Though my neighborhood in Upper Manhattan was extremely lucky with no loss of power or water, I unfortunately can't say the same about other parts of the five boroughs. Lower Manhattan lost power for a week (some buildings still don't have heat or water), and Staten Island and the Rockaways in Long Island were mercilessly hit -- there is loss of life, flooding, countless homes destroyed and many, many families left trying to pick up the pieces.

I've never been so wrong in my life.

It's particularly hard when devastation strikes so close to home, but equally inspiring when you see so many people helping their neighbors -- and that is what I have chosen to dwell on in times of struggle. There's a quote by the beloved Mr. Rogers that I find comforting:

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."

At the risk of just repeating the same info, I want to refer you to some local listings by other NYC bloggers that have done a great job of providing pertinent info on how to donate goods, money or your time.

Won't you help?

Mom in the City posted 30 Ways NYC Families Can Help After Hurricane Sandy.

MomTrends is partnering with Baby Buggy on a diaper drive for families with young children.

Stroller Traffic offers a comprehensive list of donation ideas, including giving to K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Conditions) -- I wasn't familiar with this charity, but am so happy to know about them.

Mommy Poppins highlights 5 Ways to Help Out -- somehow I missed that the New York Aquarium ENTIRELY flooded -- ugh!

Thanks to Motherhood in NYC and The Mama Bird Diaries for their thought-provoking posts sprinkled with humor. We have to remember to laugh even when the world is a mess, right?

Lastly, between today and Friday, November 9th, please bring diapers, baby formula, baby food and blankets to any New York Kids Club location.

NYC will come back -- it always does. But a large part of the resilience of this city is due to the people who live here. Let's all do our part, shall we?

the cover of this week's New  York Magazine