Local NYC Volunteers Turn Efforts Homeward For Sandy Victims
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a group of New Yorkers decided to volunteer in different cities every year around the anniversary to say "thank you" for the help New York City received.
As WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported, this time, home was where that help was needed most.
New York City Police Officer Charles Sadler's house was destroyed in Superstorm Sandy. Ten months later, it rose again, thanks to volunteers such as Eric Abney, of Slidell, La.
"Paying it back and paying it forward," Abney said.
Local NYC Volunteers Turn Efforts Homeward For Sandy Victims
<a Some of the New Yorkers out swinging hammers at the homes of Sadler and others last week were in Louisiana eight years ago – following Hurricane Katrina.
"(We) built a pier for a little boy from my hometown with leukemia," Abney said.
The group called New York Says Thank You formed after the 9/11 attacks has come full circle, said Kathleen McCarthy of the group.
"After Hurricane Sandy, being in our backyard, we decided to make a commitment to rebuild 200 first responder homes," she said.
Sadler was appreciative of the efforts.
"I still can't believe it, and I'm standing right here in front of the building," he said.
The Sadlers got the news their house would be rebuilt on the day Charles Sadler's wife, Gina, went in for surgery and found out she didn't have cancer.
"A very, very wonderful day," she said.
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