Sandy was 932 miles in diameter and packed winds of up to 100 mph, making it the worst Northeast storm in 100 years.
Hurricane Sandy made landfall on Oct. 29 near Atlantic City, N.J., causing record power outages, mass flooding, electrical fires and the complete shutdown of public transportation that affected millions of people in the northeastern U.S.
Although only a Category 1 storm, Sandy was 932 miles in diameter and packed winds of up to 100 mph, making it the worst Northeast storm in 100 years. The combination of the storm surge, a high tide and a full moon meant those closest to the water suffered the most damage.
Several CrossFit affiliates — and members — lost all of their personal belongings to the storm and many more went without power and heat for days in the aftermath.
The Black Box in Manhattan, N.Y., was one of the few places untouched by the storm, Communications Director, Allison Bojarski says.
“When Sandy knocked out electricity, Internet and cell-phone service for many of our career-oriented members, the box turned into more of an actual workspace where they could not only get a WOD in, but charge their phone and laptop and sometimes even stick around and catch up on work that they couldn't do at their office or home,” she says. “The best part is we didn't suggest the idea to folks — it just evolved naturally. And we were happy to be there for members in their time of need — and feeling blessed that our power was working and we had enough local coaches who could make it to the box.”
Unfortunately, the affiliate was an exception as the majority of North East affiliates experienced at the least, a loss of power, and at most, a total loss of property.
Although O-Side CrossFit in Oceanside, N.Y., sits three feet above ground on a loading dock, it suffered significant water damage.
“Most of the water had receded when we got in there, (but) we were able to see the waterline marks on the walls and objects,” affiliate owner Hank Berger says. “There were mats and equipment still in one foot of water, floating and strewn across the box.
All the flooring and equipment are ruined.”
CrossFit 516 in Mineola, N.Y., was luckier. It only lost power temporarily, but co-owner and Coach, Tyler McBride didn’t fare as well.
“The gym is all good,” he says. “Lost my house and my car in Long Island, though.”
Recovery Efforts
Pump CrossFit in East Hanover, N.J., hosted a Jersey Stronger fundraiser with a $10 buy-in for post-Sandy weekend workouts and also served as a collection point for clothes and nonperishable foods for New Jersey residents affected by Sandy.
“We raised a great deal of money and about 300 lb. of blankets, clothes, shoes and more,” affiliate owner Scott Paltos says. “Jersey is already strong, but we will rebuild it stronger.”
Staten Island native Debra Sullivan, member of CrossFit 203 in Danbury, Conn., led the effort to secure donations for a couple of Staten Island shelters. Various Connecticut-area affiliates got involved, including Wallingford’s CrossFit Triton, which helped secure one of the trucks used to take donations to Staten Island residents displaced by Sandy.
“The level of participation was overwhelming,” CrossFit 203 co-owner Melissa Reed says. “We filled an entire 800-square-foot room with donations in about three days. We had members volunteering to pick up goods from other CrossFit gyms and a ton to help load all the goods.”
Affiliates as far away as Texas were also on hand to help in the relief effort.
Houston-based CrossFit 1525 is hosting a Fran fundraiser with a $20 registration fee going directly to CrossFit King of the Beach, in Long Beach, N.Y., which suffered extensive flood damage.
Richard Bradford, chef and owner of Atlanta-based Pre-Made Paleo, partnered with Craig Parcells, owner of CrossFit Hoboken in New Jersey, to provide hot meals to those impacted by the storm. Bradford personally donated 500 meals to the effort. Affiliate members volunteered to serve the meals to the affiliate community and other New Jersey residents in search of a hot meal.
Still more affiliates are continuing fundraising efforts this weekend.
CrossFit Virtuosity in Brooklyn is taking pledges for a Squat-a-thon for Sandy, two members of The Black Box are spearheading a Push-ups for Pledges day, Ocean State CrossFit in Cranston, R.I., is collecting canned goods during its Midnight WODness! event and Class One CrossFit in Brooklyn is offering Muay Thai and CrossFit classes for $15 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to charity.
CrossFit Milford owner, Jason Leydon is also helping to organize a fundraiser to benefit O-Side CrossFit, hoping to raise money to help Hank and Ian Berger rebuild their box.
“When they told me what happened to not only their gym, but their home, I was devastated,” Leydon says. “I had to try to do anything I could.”
Merle Mckenzie, owner of CrossFit Relentless/CrossFit 033 in West Hartford, Conn., “has been huge in getting the ball going,” he adds.
On Nov. 8, Mckenzie created an Eventbrite fundraiser to help affected affiliates. The goal is to raise $25,000 in 30 days.
“This community really is something else, as we all come together to support and help each other,” Leydon says. “I know everyone is going through rough times. I just wanted to do something to try and help out my friends."