I first want to say that I am eternally grateful to have my family safe and not harmed during hurricane Sandy. The worst we had was half of fence torn off and loss of power. It was nothing compared to what my community lost. I am a Staten Islander. I am proud to be one. And I am brokenhearted over what I have seen happen here since Sandy. I have seen some wonderful things too that helped restore my faith in humanity. I have seen my community pull together and come out to help those who have lost everything they have ever own. Social media sites like Facebook are constantly showing updates from my fellow Staten Islanders offering suggestions for where people need clothes, food and where people who are still living without power, can find gas. People are truly coming together and giving their time and effort to help Staten Island get through this. I have never been more proud to be from what is often referred to as the "forgotten borough." Well, we haven't felt more forgotten than we do now. The only ones who haven't forgot about us are us. We as Staten Islanders will come together and will persevere. It amazes me that I haven't seen any outpouring of love or support from the people who have the most to spare, you celebrities. Where are you now, Mr. Clooney? Why is it that when Haiti had an earthquake you rallied your A-list friends to donate money they could certainly spare, yet we have mass devastation in Staten Island and the surrounding areas in New Jersey and New York and we haven't heard a word from any of you.
Or what about you, Mr. Pitt and Ms. Jolie? Two people who flaunt themselves as these wonderful giving people yet we haven't heard a peep out of you guys offering help or money. Or what about you, Mr. Penn? You went down to New Orleans to help but we are drowning here and you haven't been seen on a boat rowing down Hylan Boulevard offering any type of help. What about yo,u Mr. Carter? You are from Brooklyn and your city is suffering. I know you are a good man. But where are you? And Ms. Gaga, if you love this city as much as you claim you do, take a trip to SI and see what your city has become. Then take your millions of dollars and put it to good use. Where are all of you at this time of need? Why is it that when any other country has a tragic event you all come out throwing money at them but we here in the good old USA in the greatest city in the world are suffering and the silence from you A-listers is deafening. I want all of you celebrities, who pick and choose when you want to be caught giving only when it serves your public persona, to think about all you own. All your mansions, your yachts, your fancy clothes, everything. Think about all of that for one second. Now close your eyes and imagine every last bit of those things gone. All of your pictures of loved ones here and past. All of your home videos of your kids. All of your sentimental things taken from you. Now open your eyes. You still have all of those precious and tangible items don't you? Well, guess what. We don't. Staten Island doesn't. Long Island doesn't. Breezy Point doesn't. Rockaway doesn't. New Jersey shore doesn't. But you do. I gave everything I own and then some to people and I am a 26-year-old making way less than you. If I along with the thousands upon thousands of amazing New Yorkers can give all we have left to those who have nothing, then I can't understand why none of you can speak up and give back to your fans who are suffering. You're all so quick to give to other countries when tragedy hits them but nothing for us. I do want to give a shout out to Bon Jovi and Christina Aguilera for doing the NBC special. It's nice to know at least two celebrities haven't forgotten about us.