[Warm Fuzzy]: Local Photographer Raises Money for Cops Who Lost Homes in Hurricane Sandy

Okay FIPSters, time to heat up some hot chocolate, huddle around your fancy-ass fireplaces, and cuddle your kittens because it’s about to get warm and fuzzy up in here.

There’s a homegrown hero among us and she goes by the name of Erika Clark.  In addition to her freelance photography for Conde Nast and National Geographic, Clark is the corresponding secretary for the 78^th Precinct Community Counsel, which meets the last Tuesday of every month at 7:30PM with police officials to “exchange mutual views and seek ways to solve local problems”.  Local resident and genuine do-gooder, she took it upon herself to raise money for police officers from the 78^th Precinct left homeless by that bitch, Sandy.

The story goes like this:  Clark caught wind that some of Parks Slope’s finest -- four officers and one sergeant (literally a few good men) -- lost everything in Sandy, and was compelled to help out.  She started a relief fund for the officers and their families using social media, including Facebook and Twitter, and mass emails to reach out to anyone in the position to help.  Makes you feel like an asshole for posting pictures of your cat in a bonnet, doesn’t it? 

Her outlook for the officers remained positive despite such loss saying, “Even though they lost their homes and have to rebuild, all of them said they were incredibly lucky.  They still have every one of their family members and friends.”  To date, Clark has raised close to $8,000 with donations coming from as far as California. 

Inspirational thoughts with Jonny: 

Allow your personal spectrum to shine some light on the folks around you.  Too often we find ourselves with blinders on, forcing humanity from our periphery.  It’s beautiful that New Yorkers can band together in the face of disaster, but it shouldn’t take something horrible to remind us that we’re all capable of compassion.  I mean, shit!  This story made it all the way to FIPS.  That should tell you something, friends.  Once in a while we can stop pointing fingers and open a helping hand.

From the Park Slope Patch: 

If you are interested in making a donation, checks can be made payable to:

78th Precinct Community Council Relief Fund

c/o 78 Precinct Community Council

65 Sixth Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11217

If you prefer, you can drop off clothes, toiletries, gifts cards, etc. at the 78th Precinct. The affected families consist of 10 adults (5 men, 5 women) a teenage boy and a 3-month-old girl.