Hurricane Sandy Picture Book Helps Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts

Pascack Valley Learning Center students, faculty, and parents have announced the completion of a 300-page book "Surviving Sandy." The hardcover book details the Superstorm, outlines the challenges faced by survivors, and highlights the hope that volunteers brought in the months following the storm. Professional journalists and graphic artists provided countless hours to help oversee the writing, editing, and design of the book.

Pascack Valley's student body comprises young people from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut who were directly affected by the storm. In November 2012, the 115 students were moved to help others. An upcoming school bake sale fundraiser was unselfishly transformed to raise dollars for the victims of Sandy. Students also held clothing, food and toy drives which were given to the United Way and People to People for distribution and presented $2,800 to the Red Cross.

But the students wanted to do more. The school body recognized an opportunity to raise further funds and decided to go into the publishing business. Working with professionals, the Pascack Valley Learning Center students, parents and faculty collected stories, photos, and interviewed top professionals in their respective fields. From New York City's Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano to Seaside Heights, New Jersey's hero police chief Tommy Boyd - their first hand stories of duty, care and heroism are what makes this unlike any other publication.

"The fundraising efforts and the idea for this book came from the hearts of the students," says Principal Joanne Fratello. "It proves that young people can make a difference."

Many of the charities who are dedicated to the recovery efforts will benefit from the proceeds of the book. These include: Tunnels to the Towers Foundation, Red Cross, New York Says Thank You Foundation, Pet Safe, Catholic Charities and The First Response Team of America. Their stories of duty, care, hope and rebuilding are also outlined in the book.

How to Help
Individuals and corporations wishing to purchase a Surviving Sandy book are encouraged to go to http://www.survivingsandybook.org. Foundations and schools are also able to purchase in bulk at a discounted price to raise dollars for their own charitable organizations.

Pascack Valley Learning Center in Airmont, New York is a school of Sterling Education. Sterling is a grades 3 - 12 learning institution teaching the skills of "Learning to Learn." An integral part of Sterling's educational program is teaching young people about community outreach and volunteerism. The book was made possible by the charitable fundraising arm: Ambient Funding.