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New York Irish decide on second Day of Action for hurricane victims

Community will head to hurricane areas to help out Sandy victims

SEAN O'BRIEN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Sunday, December 2, 2012, 7:58 AM

Updated Monday, December 3, 2012, 11:57 AM

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The second day of work in Rockaway and other venues is expected to attract more than the thousand Irish who took part in the first Day of Action, which was a huge success.

The Irish community and the Irish government in New York have announced a second Irish Day of Action in Rockaway and other neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Sandy for Saturday December 15th.

It is believed that the Irish government will also announces significant financial support for victims of Hurricane Sandy when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Dublin this week.

The second day of work in Rockaway and other venues is expected to attract more than the thousand Irish who took part in the first Day of Action, which was a huge success.

"We are calling it the Meitheal na Nollaig, Irish for the Christmas helping hand," said one of the organizers Turlough McConnell. "It is a Christmas gesture from our community that will reach out to so many in need.'

Irish Deputy Consul Peter Ryan said the talk had begun right away after the success of the first day to do it again.

"There is an extraordinary commitment in this community." he said,"and so many are trained in the construction and renovation skills that are so badly needed down there," he said.

Ryan said that wider spread of areas would be helped this time with crews likely working in Long Island and Staten Island.

The community mustered 1,000 people from many different organizations ranging from the Irish Centers, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the United Irish Counties, American Ireland Fund In-NYC and many others.

"It was a magnificent effort across the entire community," said Ryan, "We all felt it was the right thing to do, and now we want to build on it"

Organizers are asking for members who wish to take part to register and to keep an eye on the Facebook page irishdayofaction.

Nster.com

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Elyse2u | Dec 02, 2012, 11:02 AM EST

@ joan1954, What a cynical comment! It is widely known and reported on that the Irish government, on behalf of the Irish nation, donates more than any other nation (per capita) to international causes. Even during our current recession the Irish people still contribute hundreds of millions in foreign aid. We also contribute privately through charities. People should help their neighbours/community and also help the wider national/international community. That is what Irish people are doing in Rockaway - helping their neighbours/community. To see that as cynical reflec ts on yourself and not on them.

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joan1954 | Dec 02, 2012, 08:39 AM EST

I think this is great but has a Pandora's box been opened? Yes, Sandy was hurtful to the people of the East Coast. But what if another hurricane on the size of of Sandy or even Katrina hit the southeast, would Irish Americans or the Irish Government be there to help them?

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