ELIH workers help collect and distribute supplies for hurricane victims

Health care workers at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport have been volunteering to help collect and transport supplies to Hurricane Sandy victims.

“Early on, ELIH served as a hurricane relief collection site,” according to ELIH Human Resource Director Daniel Kearney.  “The outpouring of support from employees was enormous.  The Sandy Relief collection box designed by our wonderful recreational therapists and patients drew a great deal of attention and have needed to be emptied numerous times. The caring spirit of all involved was very heartwarming.”

Eastern Long Island Hospital evacuated all of its patients during the late October storm. With the help of Peconic Bay Medical Center, North-Shore University Health System, Peconic Landing and Stony Brook University Hospital, all of the  employees and emergency preparedness personnel and many patients were able to return the next day. All remaining patients were back within two days. ELIH weathered the storm without any casualties or structural damage.

Knowing what it was like firsthand to be involved in a storm of this magnitude, employees seized the opportunity to help. “The supplies, headed for the overwhelming number of families on the South Shore and the boroughs, is part of a huge effort to help these communities get back on their feet and rebuild,” said Mr. Kearney.  “We have a great group of employees here at ELIH.  Everyone wanted to do their part to help provide food, warmth and hope to those who lost so much.”