Highlights:

• Sikh community around the nation rallies to assist victims of superstorm Sandy
• The economic damage is poised to exceed $20 billion
• If you cannot return home and have immediate housing needs. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345). If you need assistance in finding a shelter, please call 1-888-243-1690
• Picture Galleries can be viewed on these links: 1, 2, 3

New York, USA: As the crippled cities along the Northeastern Coastline struggle to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, UNITED SIKHS continues its strong relief efforts in the most impacted areas within these cities. UNITED SIKHS team, along with the community members, has been working tirelessly ensuring that the displaced individuals and families get adequate relief through food, water, warm clothes, shelter and psychological support.
Over 9000 meals have been prepared and distributed at 29 shelters in past week. Community members are pouring forth with their generous contribution of warm clothes, blankets, baby diapers and towels, all of which are being delivered to individuals and shelters in need.

Meal Distribution at Rockaway,New York	Sandwiches and soups for distribution at Newark,NJ

Meal Distribution at St Mark Bowery Church,New York

New Jersey Assemblyman Albert Coutinho participated in the respite operations and said “I would like to thank UNITED SIKHS for their heroic humanitarian efforts trying to help the residents of the city of Newark who have been dramatically impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Thousand meals a day is really going a long way to help the suffering of those people in really traumatic times. CHEERS to UNITED SIKHS and wish you all the best”. Click here to view the video.

Assemblyman Albert Coutinho helps in packing meals prepared by UNITED SIKHS Team to be delivered at 13 shelters in Newark,NJ

Hemanti K Wadhwani who witnessed and helped our community outreach efforts stated, “Excellent effort by United Sikhs group coming through for the city of Newark’s elderly and low-income without electricity in this cold. Heartfelt gratitude from all over. Still need is there with many places without electricity. City and state officials – NJ Assemblyman Albert Coutinho very grateful for the Sikh community’s support in this time of need”.

Meal preparation at Glenrock Gurdwara Saheb,NJ	Food brought for distribution at Rockaway,NY

Volunteers packaging the meals	Sangat from Bridgewater and Glenrock NJ, preparing hot meals ready to be shipped to the shelter homes

“I would like to thank UNITED SIKHS for the participation and support in these trying times”, said a young woman who has been without power since the day of the hurricane and is housed in a makeshift Newark shelter at Ivy Hill Elementary.

Volunteers packaging meals at the distribution Center in Newark	Volunteers at the distribution shelter in Newark

Our teams continue to be amazed by the outpouring of community support and strength for the people who have faced extreme devastation during and after the hurricane.

No. of shelters	No. of Hot Meals served	Water Distribution	Blankets	Baby Diapers	Towels	Emergency supplies and flashlight
29	12808	4795	627 blankets to be distirbuted by 7th Nov	1500	200	500

The upcoming days will continue to bring challenges for the tens of thousands rendered helpless in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. There continues to be a persistent and ongoing demand for basic needs. Please keep supporting our efforts and donate graciously so we can continue to deliver help to all in need.
Here is how you can help:

• Donate cash or the “most needed” items
• Volunteer to drive displaced individuals and volunteers
• Donate blood
• Donate what you can, so emergency supplies and material can be purchased locally, saving time and resources

“UNITED SIKHS shall always continue to carry the torch of service that we have been taught by our Gurus. We will be the ones who enter the areas most devastated and the locales most ravished so we can provide emergency relief to the vulnerable and affected because of the support of our community. This is the time we answer the clarion call to ensure that those who have lost so much have an opportunity to recover,” stated Gurvinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS AID National Director.
UNITED SIKHS would also like to thank all our supporters who have been donating their time, money and efforts towards this noble cause. Your selfless efforts are an embodiment of Sikh values and the drive to help all… “Nanak nam charhdhi kala, tere bhaaney sarbat da bhala.”
For more recent and updated information on UNITED SIKHS Relief Efforts visit: unitedsikhs.org/sandy or www.sevainmotion.com.
 
Issued by:
Jatinder Singh
Associate Director, UNITED SIKHS Aid
sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org | unitedsikhs-usa@unitedsikhs.org
UNITED SIKHS:
Phone: 1-888-243-1690, 1-646-688-3525, 1-516-698-8546

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UNITED SIKHS serves in the fields of:
Sikh-Aid:The Sikh Aid team provides non-partisan global humanitarian disaster relief services, which not only provide immediate aid but also rehabilitation help to the needy.
International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA): Standing up for and helping protect  the civil and human rights of minorities and marginalized groups in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Community Empowerment and Education Division (CEED): Empowering individuals and groups to attain their full potential and become active participants in society through Education, Training and Community development projects. They take their place in the decision-making processes in their local community as well as in the international arena.

Contact us to Donate or Volunteer!
Contact us to Donate or Volunteer!

Our Mission

To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.
UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues – whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities.
UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organisations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavour than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good.
Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all.
We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision.