Volunteers From Samaritan's Purse Travel Across The Country To Help Families Affected By Sandy
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Victims of Hurricane Sandy have been getting help in the form of volunteers who have left their homes and families to travel across the country to work through Thanksgiving and beyond as part of a large-scale recovery effort.
"I was out in the street and they came over and asked if I needed help and I said yes," Long Beach resident Karen Camileri told CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff.
Most of Camileri's home and two cars were destroyed, her health problems and a lack of money compounded the problem. But, the volunteers from the North Carolina based, Samaritan's Purse aren't charging a penny for the help that they are providing Sandy victims.
The group has helped gut destroyed homes, and clear sand off of buried streets.
"There's nothing better. It puts a smile on your face because it's a little disheartening," Long Beach resident David Mentges said.
The volunteers come from all walks of life.
"We got farmers here, we have construction guys, we have a pastor here," explained Steve Maclaird, a volunteer from Virginia.
Members of Samaritan's Purse told CBS 2 that anybody can do what they don, all that it requires is a team ready to get their hands dirty, and a heart. There are currently four-thousand members of Samaritan's Purse helping Sandy Victims in the Tri-State area.
You may share your thoughts in our comments section below...
