College Relief Efforts

College-wide Relief Support

"As Chair of the Education & Information Technology Committee, I commend Suffolk County Community College for their proactive approach in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The out-of-state emergency personnel and restoration workers who were housed at the staging area on the Michael J. Grant Campus expressed to me that they were very thankful for the warm welcome and comfortable accommodations provided to them throughout the restoration efforts. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the College and its President Dr. Shaun L. McKay, for their support, which ultimately benefitted the residents of Suffolk County." – Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker

• In line with an agreement we have in place with LIPA, National Grid and the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the vacant property on our Michael J. Grant Campus continues to be used as a site for hosting some of National Grid’s out-of-state utility vehicles and crews, along with necessary support services such as portable housing and food for the workers. The College provided similar assistance during the aftermath of Hurricane Irene last year.
• In addition, OEM asked for our support in their effort to stage emergency response ambulances from across the County and State. In response, we were able to host EMS responders at the Suffolk County Police Department Police Academy. At the height of the storm, 22 ambulances with accompanying support personnel were based at this location.
• A pet-friendly County shelter was established on our Eastern Campus and maintained 90 families and their pets during the first week of the storm. Suffolk County’s Office of Emergency Management then worked to transfer shelter residents and pets to another County location.

Meanwhile, on our campuses, the Offices of Campus and Student Activities are coordinating events in support of Hurricane relief:

Campus Relief Efforts

• Campuses are collecting food, personal hygiene and baby items for distribution by Long Island Cares.
• Fans of Suffolk Sharks athletics are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food, personal hygiene and baby items to any home game. Collection boxes will be available.
• The Ammerman and Michael J. Grant Campus food pantries have food and supplies that are available to members of the college community who find themselves in great need. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Activities and Student Leadership Development.
• The campuses are looking at coordinating help for the community in conjunction with the Martin Luther King, Jr.–Day of Service on January 21^st.

In addition:

Michael J. Grant Campus

• Students on the campus are collecting gently new or used clean winter outerwear (coats, shoes, socks, pants, long sleeved shirts/sweaters) for Pronto of Long Island.
• Alpha Delta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa will dedicate its induction ceremony on November 30th in the Van Nostrand Theatre of the Sagtikos Arts and Sciences Center to those in our community who are suffering from the effects of the recent hurricane. The club will be collecting necessity items and non-perishable food, personal hygiene donations and baby items as part of the campus-wide and college-wide effort.
• A Hurricane Sandy Relief Benefit will take place in the Sagtikos Van Nostrand Theatre on December 18^th at 7 p.m. It will include entertainment and donation bins will be set up for new or gently used clothing and winter outerwear. Admission is $10. For details, call 851-6702.
• Alpha Delta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa will dedicate its induction ceremony on November 30th in the Van Nostrand Theatre of the Sagtikos Arts and Sciences Center to those in our community who are suffering from the effects of the recent hurricane. The club will be collecting necessity items and non-perishable food, personal hygiene donations and baby items as part of the campus-wide and college-wide effort. 
• Campus clubs are helping with the initiatives organized by the Campus Activities Office. Campus Activities asked groups to focus on making the current efforts successful instead of each creating their own separate activities.
• Many clubs, organizations and classes have been assisting with the Thanksgiving Drive for the food pantry, which is coordinated by Sister Mary Ann Borrello. We have seen an increase in students utilizing the food pantry as a result of the storm.

Eastern Campus

• Student Government is coordinating the efforts of various campus clubs and organizations. Clubs are currently collecting relief supplies.
• Staff and students at the College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center in Riverhead are collecting food and personal hygiene items.