Tag Archives: one year anniversary Hurricane Sandy

Residents ‘Light the Shores’ for Hurricane Sandy One-Year Anniversary

AP

Residents gather in Coney Island brooklyn for the candlelight vigil. Photo credit: AP

This week marks the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy that swept ashore on October 29th. A year ago I was living on my couch, with my eyes glued to the TV as Mayor Bloomberg (along with his trusty ASL interpreter) updated us on one catastrophic news item after another, while my lights flickered. If only others’ in the Rockaways, Coney Island, Breezy Point and Jersey Shore shared that same experience–unfortunately with more than 100 lives perished and countless others displaced the recovery process remains in effect.

But, this somber occasion couldn’t go unnoticed, so volunteer recovery groups joined together with residents  to hold a candlelight vigil along the shore. Images are so much better in this case, so I will cease from typing and let your eyes tell the story of the importance of ‘lighting the shores.’

In Midland Beach, Staten Island. A resident raises the flag. Photo Credit: Getty Images

In Midland Beach, Staten Island. A resident raises the flag. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Residents of Red Hook walk together with candles raised. Photo credit: Getty Images

Residents of Red Hook walk together with candles raised. Photo credit: Getty Images

Breezy Point residents held their candlelight vigil in West Hamilton, NY. Photo credit: AP

Breezy Point residents held their candlelight vigil in West Hamilton, NY while a plane flies above. Photo credit: AP

WERK OUT WEDNESDAY: Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes Celebrates Global Walk to School Day & Diana Nyad Swims for Sandy Victims

Photo credit: dominique dawes twitter page

Photo credit: dominique dawes twitter page

Awesome Dawes– this is why—as she’s so affectionately called by her adoring fans (me included) urged kids to ditch that cheese bus and lace up their kicks today for International Walk-to-school day. 

The bronze and gold winning Olympian joined students, parents and teachers from Rogers Heights Elementary in Maryland to burn some calories while heading to class.

The initiative was sponsored by the health care organization Kaiser Permanente to get kids active in their communities.

Thanks Rogers Elem School and Kaiser Permanente for an inspiring event to encourage our school kids to walk! Get active, get moving, get healthy!!

Dominique joined FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign in 2011. And the somersault soaring and tumblin’ diva is also co-chair to President Obama’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. I think even she would be impressed.

Keep a look out for Dominique this month to appear in a NBC TV special about thriving schools. I will keep you updated when I know more deets.

Meanwhile, while Dominique was walking….

….Diana Nyad was swimming…again..for Hurricane Sandy victims. The tenacious extraordinaire who was the No. Uno person to swim from Cuba to Florida with jellyfish, sharks and hypothermia nipping at her heels (literally) jumped into the water this morning  for charity. To commemorate the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy she decided to swim nonstop for 48 hours in hot spot Herald Square in NYC.

ABC News reports that a 40-yard two lane pool has been erected in Herald Square for Diana’s mission. So far Diana’s efforts have raised over $68,000. To help donate money or encouragement to Diana Nyad please click here.

And to watch the live feed of Diana’s continuous swim click here.