Kids & Family

Saint Helps Resurrect Long Beach

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees provides $200,000 grant for rebuilding homes destroyed in Hurricane Sandy.

NFL star Drew Brees has helped resurrect 20 Long Beach homes devastated in Hurricane Sandy.

Brees, the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, and his wife, Brittany, provided $200,000 in grant money to United Way of Long Island to help rebuild the home. 

“My wife Brittany and I are very proud to have the opportunity to assist the City of Long Beach as part of our Brees Dream Foundation’s commitment to Superstorm Sandy recovery,” said Drew Brees, who was inspired after Long Islanders rallied around the barrier island in its time of need.

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The grant money helped rebuild 20 homes in the City of Long Beach through various repairs and rebuilding services.

“I’m extremely grateful for the assistance my family received from United Way of Long Island,” said Madeline Benegas in a statement. “None of this would be possible without your help.”

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Benegas and her family own one of the homes that were identified for the project. Her home took in more than six feet of water in the basement, two feet of water on the first floor, and sustained irreparable damage to the roof, according to United Way Long Island.

“The city of Long Beach was one of the hardest hit communities on Long Island” said City Manager Jack Schnirman in a statement “We would like to thank Drew Brees and United Way of Long Island for assisting Long Beach families as they continue to recover from Superstorm Sandy.”

Long Islanders who are still suffering in the wake of Hurricane Sandy can call 211 or 1-888-774-7633 for disaster resources.

Photo via United Way LI


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