NEW YORK — Coast Guard Station New York members conducted a community outreach operation in Staten Island neighborhoods providing a helping hand, Tuesday, by cleaning out houses that were flooded and devastated by Hurricane Sandy.
The New York-based station crew went house to house through the neighborhood tearing down flood-soaked drywall, piling ruined furniture and pulling up carpet.
"We saw an opportunity to give back to our community by providing support and a lending hand where and however they needed us to," said Lt. Cmdr. James McLay, executive officer of Station New York. "We wanted to show the public that we are part of the community as well and are in this with them together as more than just first responders."
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Petty Officer 1st Class Jay Pioch, a boatswain's mate with Coast Guard Station New York, holds a National Ensign as 85-year-old Angelia Picataggio (right), a former Navy spouse, touches the flag that was salvaged from her house after Coast Guard members helped clean it out, Nov. 6, 2012. Angelia and her children presented the Coast Guard the flag to care for because it belonged to her husband who was a former Navy and Coast Guard member. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Lally. |
Angelia Picataggio, an 85-year-old former Navy spouse and local Staten Island resident, and her children were going to start cleaning her house Tuesdady morning whe the station members showed up at her doorstep and offered to help clean her house.
"I was bewildered that these Coast Guardsmen would offer to help clean my house out," said Picataggio. "My children and I were wondering how we were going to even begin the process of a week-long clean-up project and these volunteer Coast Guardsmen finished the job in about 45 minutes. It lifts my heart to know that these men and women willingly serve their community in this time of need."
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Petty Officer 1st Class Jay Pioch, a boatswain's mate with Coast Guard Station New York, listens to 85-year-old Angelia Picataggio as she talks about how devastated her house was after Hurricane Sandy and offers her thanks to the Coast Guard members who helped clean out her house, Nov. 6, 2012. The Station New York members went house to house in a Staten Island neighborhood assisting clean out houses from debris during post-Hurricane Sandy operations. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Lally. |
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Petty Officer 1st Class Jay Pioch, a boatswain's mate with Coast Guard Station New York, shovels dry wall debris in the basement of a Staten Island house as part of a Coast Guard community outreach to assist New York families affect by Hurricane Sandy, Nov. 6, 2012. The Coast Guard members went house to house in a Staten Island neighborhood lending a helping hand wherever and however they might be able to. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Lally. |