Providence, RI - Rhode Island Governor Lincoln D. Chafee signed a proclamation today declaring December 13, 2012 "Hurricane Sandy Volunteer Appreciation Day" in the State of Rhode Island.
The Governor will also host an appreciation event at the State House this afternoon recognizing the more than 1,000 individuals who pitched in after the storm to help clean up tons of debris and sand, mostly in the Misquamicut Beach community. That event will take place in the State Room at 4 p.m.
As of last week, a total of 1,253 volunteers gave 5,829 hours during and after the storm. Volunteers answered phones, staffed shelters, inspected for food safety and helped in large numbers with the cleanup of debris and sand left by the storm surge in Rhode Island's southern coastline. Serve Rhode Island's coordination of volunteers continues this weekend in Misquamicut with smaller teams helping with the continuous recovery work.