BU community fundraises for Hurricane Sandy victim relief in N.Y., N.J.

The Florence & Chafetz Hillel House at Boston University is collecting donations and clothing for residents of New York and New Jersey who were affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The efforts started after the hurricane without any specific goal, said Josh Tolub, director of development at Hillel.

“When we started the fund it was really just for rapid response,” Tolub said. “I think that the gut reaction to the student board and from the staff is that we just need to do what we can to help out, so we just threw down the jug before we even made a full goal for it.”

Experts estimate that Hurricane Sandy left between $30 and $50 billion in damages along the East Coast, according to The New York Times Friday.

Although they do not have a specific goal, there are many plans in the works to help Sandy’s victims. Hillel is not the only BU group planning relief efforts, said Lauren Shuman Perry, the director of student activities at Hillel.

“It’s hard to really see what’s going on because it’s something just happening and everyone is just figuring it out,” Perry said. “We’re collaborating with the Community Service Center as a natural point to go to, so we’re in discussions with them as to how to really work together to make this as beneficial as possible.”

Hillel will begin a clothing drive on Monday, Nov. 5, which will run for two weeks, she said. The clothes will be packaged and sent to the New York and New Jersey area as needed.

Members will also be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hillel House on Bay State Road, Perry said. Students can either make an appointment on the Red Cross website or walk-in.

“The students have said that they want it to be designated to New York and New Jersey, and right now they are looking into logistics to see if they can make the transfer because of all the transportation issues, so it’s something they’re working on,” she said.

Hillel is looking into the possibility of an Alternative Spring Break to the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy to assist with the relief efforts, she said.

“We always do an additional ASB that we run ourselves — our staff and students go and all BU students apply through us,” Perry said. “We really want to make sure that this can be another trip that happens and we are working with the Community Service Center to find the right venue to see this work.”

Perry said they are encouraging everyone to get involved as much as possible.

Tolub said they sent emails to students and parents asking for everyone to pitch in since everyone is affected by it.

“Everyone’s families, and a lot of the BU community was personally touched by this,” he said.