At least 500 labor-loving men are wanted to spend the 72 hours that comprise the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend with their sleeves rolled up, determined to make a difference. Help is needed to remove debris, paint, and lend expertise in electrical, plumbing and carpentry trades to help rebuild community nonprofit offices in need after Superstorm Sandy.
This is the third year 500 Men Making a Difference Inc. has put forth the call for service, but this year is particularly crucial since Superstorm Sandy ravaged the Coney Island section of Brooklyn.
Specifically, 500 Men Making a Difference is asking for volunteers to help the Amethyst Women’s Project, United Community Baptist Church and Coney Island Generation Gap–all Coney Island-based organizations hit particularly hard by Sandy.
Amethyst Women’s Project services women and children who have AIDS/HIV, substance abuse and domestic violence issues, while Coney Island Generation Gap services teens in the area.
“We definitely want to welcome men to come on board and join the team,” said Wayne Devonish, a board director of the group. 500 Men Making a Difference is a community service organization comprised of mainly professional men who work collectively to do community service.
“One of our main tenets is that there are a lot of positive men out there,” said Devonish. “But we don’t know each other, so we don’t work together and a lot can be done concerning our community dreams and aspirations if we work together.”
The 72-hour time span begins Saturday, Jan. 19, at midnight and ends Tuesday, Jan. 22, at midnight. During this weekend, volunteers will be asked to donate time in shifts that range from 10 hours (called “Man Shifts”) to 12 hours (“You are the Man” shifts), to as many as 16 hours (“The Inhuman”). However, Devonish says volunteers can come and give whatever time they can.
“Dr. King did so much for us, and we should honor his holiday by really rolling up our sleeves and digging deeply into giving back,” said Devonish. “Not shopping or going to ski weekend or something like that, but giving some real thought or focus into sacrificing to give back.” The group says all skill levels are welcome.
“You know, at the church they still have water in their basement three months later. That is a significant remnant of what happened,” said Devonish. “So for the guy who doesn’t have anything but a strong back, there’s stuff to rip down, stuff to move out.”
Devonish said that interested volunteers should call 500 Men Making A Difference at 347-343-5345 or visit their website at 500menmakingadifference.com.