Malliotakis ‘Sandy Photo Reclamation Project’ Off To A Great Start

Photographs Were Found In New Dorp Beach During Malliotakis’ Volunteer Cleanup Efforts

September 26, 2013

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I-East Shore) has put together a new, more convenient way for Sandy survivors to relocate photographs lost during the storm. “Assemblywoman Malliotakis’ Sandy Photo Reclamation Project”, officially launched on Steptember 18, is located at www.facebook.com/FindSandyPhotos. The website provides Staten Islanders with an opportunity to look through 696 photographs online and at their convenience. The website is public, so a Facebook account is not necessary to view it. Many residents already have begun to identify their photos and reclaim lost memories.

The photographs were collected in New Dorp Beach by volunteers during cleanup efforts organized by Assemblywoman Malliotakis during the storm’s immediate aftermath. A public viewing was held in April at New Dorp High School in coordination with Steven and Stephanie LoBaido, but hundreds of images remained unclaimed. Assemblywoman Malliotakis worked with Michelle Cocozza, a graphic designer in the office of Borough President James Molinaro, who scanned the photographs and created an online database. Mrs. Cocozza offered her services to the community free of charge.

“It was so rewarding to reconnect some residents with their photos at our event in April, but we had to think of a new way to get the job done. I’m so grateful to Michelle Cocozza for working with me on this project and completing the tedious work of scanning each individual image,” said Malliotakis. “These families are still fighting their way back toward full recovery. I’m hopeful that these photos can bring back some happiness and inspire them to keep going.”

“I felt helpless after the storm to help my neighbors. While my work at the Borough President's Office allowed me many opportunities to get involved, it was impossible to feel as though I was doing enough. Like many, I made financial donations, but still felt as though I hadn't made a dent in helping anyone,” said Cocozza. “Creating the database took much longer than I had hoped, but I am thrilled to see it launched and look forward to helping my neighbors at last.”

All images are available for download on the website. If the owner wishes to obtain the original photograph, he or she can contact Assemblywoman Malliotakis’ district office at 718-987-0197. Viewers also are encouraged to “tag” people they might recognize in the hopes of alerting the owner that their photographs have been found.

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