Riverdale, N.Y. - In the wake of one of the worst storms to ever hit New York City, the
Manhattan College community took "Go Jaspers!" to heart. They went from
Riverdale to the Rockaways, three buses of 80 students and staff traveled to
St. Francis de Sales Parish on Nov. 10 to assist with hurricane cleanup. The
trip was the first of three Saturdays for Sandy.
Senior Men's Swimming Student-Athlete Mike Scire, a physical education major
who's spent the past six summers lifeguarding and living with his aunt in
Rockaway on Beach 125th Street, arrived optimistic and ready to help rebuild.
"I met students that I didn't know before," he says. "I was really proud to
see everyone come out."
Donned in Jasper gear, the Manhattan group met with Scire's aunt and
neighbors who tasked them with gutting houses, digging out damaged cars, shoveling
debris and clearing the sand-ridden streets.
"You could see the progress and the appreciation. Everyone was cheering 'Go
Jaspers!' as we left," Scire adds. "I just hope that everything gets back to
normal, and even better than it was before."
The following week on Nov. 17, an even larger group of 100 returned to the
Rockaways a second time, continuing the cleanup and most importantly, boosting
morale.
The semester's final Saturday for Sandy will take place Dec. 1 on Staten
Island in partnership with Rebuild Staten Island.