Safavieh Sheltered Work Crews in Port Washington

As volunteer crews descended on Long Island from all over the country, the go-to accommodations for the volunteers in our area was a tent city provided by LIPA near Eisenhower Park, which reportedly lacked heat and proper toilet facilities. Local elected officials stepped in to ask community organizations and businesses for their assistance.

In Port Washington North, Mayor Robert Weitzner contacted Arash and Michael Yaraghi, owners of Safavieh the carpeting and furniture warehouse off Shore Road, and asked if they could help. They immediately offered to house two work crews, one from Oklahoma and the other from British Columbia, providing warmth at the end of a hard day and much needed rest rooms.

“Given the intolerable living conditions that LIPA provided for our hard-working crews, including Ariel Contractors from British Columbia, we were most fortunate and gratified that our commercial neighbors from Safavieh came to their assistance by providing a warm place to sleep, bedding and restrooms," Weitzner said. "On behalf of the community, thank you Arash and Michael.”

As reported last week the Manorhaven VFW Post 1819 also stepped up to house volunteers and LIPA crews.

If there are other organizations and businesses that helped house and feed the people working hard in the field during the storm and the ensuing clean-up, let us know.