Last Sunday the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) brought more than 1,000 volunteers to the Rockaways in Queens to participate in “A Day of Action for New York,” an effort to bring relief to one of the areas hardest-hit byHurricane Sandy.

Joining President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, volunteers spent more than 5,000 hours clearing debris, cleaning out flooded basements, cleaning the beachfront, and distributing disaster relief supplies and coats to aid in the recovery of a community still reeling from Sandy’s devastation.

“The impact of Hurricane Sandyhas devastated families and communities along the East Coast, including many right here in New York City,” said Chelsea Clinton. “The Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative were able to bring people and organizations together for a Day of Action for New York to aid in recovery efforts. By working with friends, partners, and local community members, we were proud to be able to make a small but meaningful difference in an area hard hit by Sandy.”

Read more news on Hurricane Sandy here

The Rockaways, an 11-mile peninsula in Queens facing the Atlantic Ocean, was one of the areas most impacted by the storm. Thousands of residents experienced extensive damage, including loss of power and homes destroyed by floods and fires. Recovery has been slow for the many victims still without heat, power, and running water.

On Sunday, more than 1,000 volunteers, including staff, supporters, and friends of the Clinton Foundation, and CGI members and commitment makers, worked at locations throughout the Rockaways. More than 500 volunteers helped homeowners clear debris with Team Rubicon, a CGI member whose CGI commitment includes engaging veterans and military family members in 1.5 million hours of volunteer service in communities nationwide by July 2013.

The remaining volunteers, in coordination with NYC Service and New York Cares, worked at the Key Foods and St. Francis Church distribution sites to hand out emergency supplies and canvass door-to-door to provide crucial information to residents. Volunteers were also dispatched to Rockaway Beach to help with park cleanup efforts and to Peninsula Library to help distribute winter coats.

Please visit the Clinton Foundation website to learn of other ways to support disaster relief efforts or commit volunteer hours in your own community.

President Clinton in Rockaway Beach, New York: