Coats, Canned Goods, Volunteers Needed in Queens

As the city strives to return to normal after Hurricane Sandy, there are many ways that borough residents can help. 

The most immediate way you can help? By donating to the Red Cross, which provides food, shelter and assistance for those displaced by the storm.

To donate online, click here. 

But there's more you can do if you want to get involved.

Starting on Friday, the New York Police Department will begin a massive collection operation, staged out of the parking lot at Resorts World Racino in Ozone Park. 

NYPD representatives and volunteers will be on scene in white tents to collect everything from canned goods to coats and shoes for city residents who lost everything in the storm.

"We'll be collecting clothing, sweatshirts, hats, packages of bottled water, toiletries, non-perishables, you name it," said 112 Precinct Council President Heidi Chain. 

Residents who want to drop off goods at the location can go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

In addition to helping with donations, you can also volunteer your time. The New York City Parks Department is looking for help cleaning up the hundreds of city parts that have been impacted by the storm's high winds and flooding, according to the A Walk in The Park blog. 

Parks in Queens will be cleaned up on Friday and Saturday.

For more information, check out the blog post here.