-----Original Message-----
From: tdancea <[email protected]>
To: ""\"carolyn <carolyn\"" <"carolyn <carolyn""@sandyfundsi.org
Sent: Tue, Feb 12, 2013 8:45 pm
Subject: The McKeons

Dear Carolyn,
Please forward this to the Sandy fund for me...thank you!
Dana

Dear Sandy Relief Fund,
     
We wanted you to be the first to know that as of this weekend, we are officially moving back home!!  There are so many emotions that we have moving home, but fortunately excitement is something we are all feeling!!!  It was important to us to let you be the first people we let know about the move, since you were instrumental to our financial and emotional well being.  We would not be where we are today, if it was not for your help, concern, and assistance.  The truck was a lifesaver! It was the first step to resuming normalcy.  The appliances, was an overwhelming gift.  We would not be moving back home at this time,if it wasn't for your help.  I can't find the words to express how blessed we are to have met such an amazing group of people.  Meeting each one of you, has touched my life, and I will never forget your kindness.  What stands out for me, is the Christmas visit to my family with gifts and the "surprise" Knicks tickets!!!  It meant so much that you truly cared about bringing joy to my children for Christmas.  The Knicks game, brought a lightness to us!!! It was great to enjoy a day out with no thoughts of the house, the work, the crazy schedules!!!  My kids will always remember that day and for that I will always be grateful!  Through all the evil of Sandy, there has been losses that will never be recovered, but we gained so much since Sandy.... We have met people who have given so much of themselves, strangers, who have changed our lives.  We were forced into a position to ask for help - something that we were not used to.  We awkwardly had to learn to accept help, gifts, and financial assistance, which was very humbling. So many, many, people gave of themselves that the only way I can repay all the gratitude we received, is to vow to you, that we will "pay it forward" to others who will need help, in the future.  I hope that someday we can help others the way we have been helped. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!  I will be sending you photos of our home, as we begin to put our lives back together. We will never forget the sadness that Sandy brought to our family, but....we will never forget the love and friendship you have given us!!!!


Forever Friends,
The McKeon's
 
Below is a thank you email sent from Michelle Lombardo to Sue of the SI Sandy Relief Fund
 

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Michellebbl <[email protected]>
Date: February 12, 2013, 3:17:30 PM EST
To: [email protected]
Subject: Thank you


Hi Sue,
Once again, I am writing to thank the Sandy Relief Fund  for the generous donation to my family. I have a hard time putting into words how much you have changed our lives. After Super Storm Sandy, our entire lives were in disarray. My family was literally torn away from the normal existence that we lived in happily. We were displaced for months, and my monthly living expenses were rising. This foundation and Sue  had the heart and the generosity to lift some of that burden with an donated automobile, thankfully to take the place of a rental that was stretching my pockets weekly. Time passed and eventually we were able to return to our repaired home. After returning, another blow to my family. My living and dining furniture were also causalities. Along with a lot of my necessary appliances. None were salvageable. Again, i was still in a financial crisis, and knew I did not have the funds to replace these things any time soon. And then, my Angel of Sandy was there to help. Sue  asked me what I needed, and told me she wanted to help.  My children and I now have beautiful couches to lay our weary heads, and a dining set for us to enjoy meals, and share the days happenings together. The Sandy Relief fund also purchased a Washer and Dryer for me and had it installed... now only if they will come to do my laundry :). I espesially wanted to thank Sue for her time ...she took time out of her own busy life to take me shopping for furniture. Although there is some work to do my house looks better then it ever did thanks to this fund. , I feel extremely lucky to have been part of this . This is like a dream come true.  And the best part is that the Sandy releif fund was started by regular people with huge hearts!!!  The thought that there are people out there that are ready to help and to give not just mine, but any family who has suffered this tragedy, makes me eternally optimistic about my future and the future of my children. 

A million thanks isn't nearly enough but I will start with that.
 
Love Always,
Michelle , Christian and Gianna
Michellebbl
[email protected]
 
Ian Neckin (our president) along with our charity and the McKeon family were the focal point of a piece on the Channel 11 news last night.

Our organization has sponsored the McKeon family, who lost their home and possessions in the storm.  You can find out more about their family and how you can help them at our website http://www.sandyfundsi.org/the-mckeons.html

Many thanks to Erik Maschler and the Battleground Country Club for donating a pick-up truck to Mr. McKeon so that he can back to work and provide for his family.  Many thanks to everyone who has made a contribution to help our families.