Mother NY Launches ‘Repair The Rockaways’

Mother New York is proud to announce the launch of Repair the Rockaways at Internet Week 2013. Repair the Rockaways is a social interactive experience that acts as a fundraiser for ongoing repairs and restoration in Rockaway, New York. 

Repair the Rockaways translates online activity into a real world charitable effort by donating through a digital interface. People who visit the site can donate money in exchange for “bricks” to help construct houses in an environment modeled after the Rockaways. When 400 bricks have been donated, a newly-built house appears in the virtual world. Users can log onto the site and donate money in exchange for “bricks” to help construct houses in a web environment modeled after the Rockaways. When 400 bricks have been donated to a particular lot, a house appears in the virtual world. 

The monetary contributions are directly donated to Respond and Rebuild, a volunteer group established in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, who will aid the actual Rockaways with supplies, education and labor. The website will be continually updated with photos, videos and stories from volunteers and contributing media partners, whom will document the progress resultant of user donations. 

Repair the Rockaways was established from a call-to-action at the Mother New York office. Along with the rest of New York, many Mother employees were affected either directly or indirectly by the tragedy. Employees were encouraged to volunteer and come up with creative solutions to help our fellow friends in the Rockaways. Creative duo Andy Dao and Stacey Smith presented the idea of facilitating a more engaging, rewarding and timely donating process and Repair the Rockaways was born. 

The non-profit group chosen to receive donated funds, Respond and Rebuild was discovered through Mother’s publishing arm, Animal New York, during its’ reporting of Hurricane Sandy. Comprised of volunteers displeased with the bureaucracy and lag time of larger organizations, Respond and Rebuild (in partnership with Occupy Sandy) works closely with the Rockaways community to aid its recovery effort. Along with providing labor and resources, Respond and Rebuild also focuses on educating residents with classes to help create more volunteers capable of responding to future problems. All donations from Repair the Rockaways will aid in continued efforts to educate and rebuild the Rockaways along with expanding the group’s operation to help additional areas affected by the disaster.