The AIM Marine Group is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for many of the Hurricane Sandy victims in Long Beach, NY. The neighborhood, located on the westernmost barrier island of Long Island in Nassau County, suffered extensive flooding from Sandy’s storm surge. About 35,000 residents were left without power or running water after the ocean breached the dunes, lifted the boardwalk and poured into the streets. The rising water sparked fires, uprooted trees and buried years of memories and keepsakes in sand. People lost homes, cars and businesses. Since the storm, many residents have made do with candlelight and food donated to the community. They have had no heat or phone.

“Most of the families in Long Beach have lost everything they own and are still without power, heat and hot water. I fondly remember growing up and going to Long Beach and enjoying this beautiful coastal community with my family. The mere thought of so many of our marine enthusiasts that reside in Long Beach not being able to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner is more than upsetting, and something I cannot stand idly by and watch,” said AIM Marine Group Gary de Sanctis, who grew up in the New York area.

The AIM Marine Group has looked for ways to help, and through local residents and non-profit organizations found ideal partners to bring some comfort to the devastated neighborhood. Among them are Sean and Kelly Sullivan, owners of Swingbelly’s BBQ of Long Beach, whose slow-cooked barbecue is sure to warm the residents’ spirits on Thanksgiving Day. Also helping support this massive effort are Skudin Surf, Surf For All and the Long Beach Surfers Association.

Aside from fundraising, the AIM Marine Group is pledging to assist in preparing and serving the meal. De Sanctis and AIM Marine Group VP of Marketing Jennifer Jones will be on deck November 21 and 22.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Jennifer Jones at [email protected], or to donate, click here.

As you may have seen and heard, many coastal communities in the Northeast were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. One of our marine industries beautiful coastal towns, Long Beach, NY, was devastated.

I am pleased to announce that the AIM Marine Group together with Swingbelly’s BBQ, a local restaurant in Long Beach, NY, that has become the beacon of light during these difficult times, is partnering together to make a better Thanksgiving for many of these residents. It is with this thought that we will be providing thousands of families in Long Beach, a hot Thanksgiving Dinner…just a little hope amidst so much devastation.

I invite you to click on the link below, learn more about what our plans are, watch the compelling video and join us in this effort to make a difference this Thanksgiving Holiday.

Thank you and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Best Regards,
Gary DeSanctis
VP, Group Publisher
AIM Marine Group

http://www.crowdrise.com/swingbellysturkeydonation/fundraiser/jenniferjones3/updated#top

If you would like to learn more about the organizations we are partnering with: Please feel free to check us out at: Swingbelly’s BBQ FaceBook page, skudinsurf.com, surfforall.org, longbeachsurfersassociation.com or any of our AIM Marine Group Websites and FaceBook pages: yachtsmagazine.com, passagemaker.com, soundingsonline.com, boatquest.com, sailmagazine.com, powerandmotoryacht.com and showmanagement.com