Our Fundraiser.

I have taken down my family's fundraiser as it's becoming more and more clear that we are not returning to Long Beach.

Although the SBA approved to augment the amount of their loan, as we are calculating how much the property taxes, permits, and other expenses will be, it is all too much. My dad is no longer working and is on a fixed income. We can't afford to move back. The New York Rising "grant" (that they make you pay back if you win any money in a lawsuit against your insurance company), was a paltry amount and not enough to cover the expenses of rebuilding a home.

Any money that was raised is going to go to getting furniture for my brother's room since the poor kid doesn't even have a proper dresser to put his clothes in. We want him to have as much normalcy as possible. He is our priority as a family. The total was a little over $650 (PayPal takes a small percentage as a fee when you donate via credit card).

Thank you to those that have donated and that spread the word. I love you and your kindness and generosity will be repaid back to you ten-fold.


As for me: I'm angry. I'm pissed. I'm in shock. I'm angry at our so-called "representatives" in the federal, state, and especially local councils and legislatures who like to proclaim that my community is back and better than ever. Who proclaim that people are home. Who proclaim that New York and New Jersey have recovered from Sandy. To the people on Newsday's comment section that call families like mine "leeches" looking for a hand out and that we were stupid for living by the water--go fuck yourself. Long and hard. My family paid off their house and raised two children. Contributed to the community in more ways than you ever will by commenting nasty things online. You live on an island and when our shoreline communities are wiped out completely by the next big storm, YOU will be next.

 I just wanted to go home and knowing now that I never will is hitting me pretty hard. But I'm trying not to let it get me down for too long. I have a lot of things to look forward to in life and one set back isn't going to stop me from achieving all that I wish to achieve.

Though my address may no longer end in 11561, I will always have Long Beach sand in my shoes.

Again, thank you all.

xoxo

Alex