Help us rebuild the kids' classroom
Tidal flooding hit our lower level on September 26. The kids' classroom took the worst of it. Our Sunday kids meet there, and a creative co-op for local kids uses it during the week. Rebuilding it to hold up against the next storm will cost about $36,500.
$24,069 raised
$12,431 to go. More than 40 people have given, and we're two-thirds of the way there.
What happened
On September 26, a high tide rose over our bulkhead, which we'd just repaired in 2025, and came in at the steps under the thrift shop. Days later, another high tide pushed water up through the floors of several rooms. The sanctuary stayed dry. The kids' classroom took the worst of it.
Our insurance isn't covering this, so the repairs depend on gifts and volunteers.
Who uses the room
Children meet in the classroom on Sundays, and a creative co-op for local kids uses it during the week. The lower floor also hosts two AA groups, an Al-Anon group, the Girl Scouts, three churches and our open mic concerts, along with community events like Winter Wonderland and the Thanksgiving baskets.
What we're rebuilding
The new room is built to take water and dry out on its own:
A waterproofed concrete block wall around the base of the room
A drain along the inside edge that pumps out water coming up from below
A tile floor set in mortar
Heat built into the floor, replacing baseboard heaters that sat right where the water rises
New sheetrock and paint above the block wall
The $36,500 also covers cleanup, replacing what the kids lost and repairing the classroom's fire alarm wiring. Neighbors, churches and our own members have given $17,069, and a donor matched $7,000 of those gifts.
Where things stand (November 9)
Volunteers cleared out the room, and the damaged concrete floor has been patched. We're reviewing the bid for the wall, drain and tile, and getting prices for the floor heat. We'll post updates here as the work moves.
What your gift does
$25 covers about 3 square feet of the new tile floor
$75 covers about 10 square feet of the new tile floor
$100 covers about a foot of the new drain
$1,000 covers about 10 feet of the new block wall
Ways to give
Gifts help with flood cleanup and repairs. Use whichever way is easiest for you.
Online
Give to the Flood Repairs fund on Church Center with a card or bank account. You'll get a giving receipt by email.
Zelle
Open your bank's app and find Zelle. It's often under Send Money or Transfers.
Send to info@peopleschurchny.com.
Enter your amount, write "flood" in the memo and send.
Venmo
Send to @peopleschurchny and write "flood" in the note.
Check
Make it out to People's Church and write "flood" in the memo. Mail it to 111 Delaware Ave, Long Beach, NY 11561, or put it in the offering on Sunday at 11.
GoFundMe
Give on our GoFundMe page. It's also an easy link to share with friends.
Lend a hand
We're planning volunteer work days. Email Pastor Andy or text him at (516) 312-3568, and we'll send you the dates.
Can't do heavy lifting? We need people to write thank-you notes, help push the city on Delaware Ave flooding and organize the social hall.
Pray with us
No more high tides like September 26
Patience and provision for the co-op families who use the classroom during the week
Safety for everyone working in the building
The city to act on flooding along Delaware Ave
That God uses the recovery to keep bringing neighbors and friends into the church
This fall, Long Beach showed up
One Life, Joy Church, New Hope, CenterPoint Long Beach, the AA groups that meet here and our neighbors came with fans, shop vacs and their own two hands. Our hope is that years from now, that floor is still full: kids singing about Jesus on Sunday, co-op families during the week and AA meetings at night.
Already gave? Thank you. You got us two-thirds of the way. The next best thing is sending this page to someone who'd want to help: peopleschurchny.com/flood.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you." Isaiah 43:2