A little kindness goes a long way: Heart-warming photos show how Eastcoasters rocked by Sandy came together in their time of need with random acts of generosity



A heart-warming collection of photographs and tweets has captured the myriad acts of kindness from the past week, as the hardships of Hurricane Sandy brought devastated communities across the tri-state area together.

From the Mayor of Newark inviting constituents into his home to charge their phones and watch DVDs to an East Village doctor offering free treatments and kids selling cookies to raise money for the relief effort, the stories encapsulate how, in their time of need, people were helping each other.



Many were not prepared for the onslaught Superstorm Sandy dealt New York, New Jersey and other east coast areas on Monday night and thousands of residents had refused to leave their homes after a mandatory call to evacuate.



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Kindness: Kids sell goods to raise money for the Hurricane Sandy relief effort

Feeding the hungry: Emily Ellington, pictured, of Staten Island gives out one of 40 pizzas she bought to distribute to residents on Friday as they coped with the damage that Hurricane Sandy brought

Medical care: Dr Dave Ores posted on his tumblr, 'I'm open today if I can help anyone. Until 6pm Spread the word. Thanks. 189 east 2nd street btw A and B'

But the weather system hit hard, leaving more than 100 dead, thousands of homes underwater and millions without power for days, including close to 300,000 in lower Manhattan after the lights went out downtown.

Yet despite the enormous emotional and physical challenges, residents could rely on the kindness of strangers to help them through the worst of it.



There have been so many altruistic acts during the storm and its aftermath that a Facebook page called ' Hurricane Sandy Acts of Kindness ' has been set up, giving those who received help the opportunity to thank their saviours and share their stories.

Generous: The Dutch restaurant in SoHo offered up free food to New Yorkers during the power outage

Taco in the darko: Lonestar Taco also dished out free dinner to those in lower Manhattan

Top leadership: Newark Mayor Cory Booker invited Hurricane Sandy victims to his house to charge their electronics, watch movies, and even get a free lunch

One user posted a photo of rescue workers with an adorable toddler who they trudged through high water and cut trees to clear a path to save after the surge.



Another image shows Staten Island resident Emily Ellington on Friday as she handed out one of 40 pizzas to locals devastated by the storm.

Scores of restaurants including The Dutch in Manhattan and Lonestar Taco served up free food to the many residents who were left for five days without power, food or fresh water, tweeting the news to their followers.

Notes of support: Kind post it notes were plastered on a wall, pictured, to cheer up Sandy victims

Viral: Some of the photos showing neighbourly love have gone viral online

Pet health: Banfield Pet Hospital, was offering free office visits and physical exams for more than 140 hospitals in the states affected by Sandy

Many of those who still had electricity offered up their power plugs so passers by could charge their phones and contact loved ones.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker used Twitter to invite Hurricane Sandy victims to his house to charge their electronics, watch movies, and even get a free lunch, warming the hearts of his constituents.

East Village doctor Dave Ores offered his services to anyone in need of help, posting on his tumblr, 'I'm open today if I can help anyone. Until 6pm Spread the word. Thanks. 189 east 2nd street btw A and B.'

Sharing is caring: Many of those who still had electricity offered up their power plugs so passers by could charge their phones and contact loved ones

Celebrity love: Even Bon Jovi, pictured, showed he cared, visiting residents in his flood affected home town of Sayreville, New Jersey

Generosity: Ben Stiller, pictured, fed people in Brooklyn to show his support

He also handed out dozens of sandwiches on the streets near his surgery in the aftermath of the Hurricane.



Even celebrities came out to show they cared, with Ben Stiller helping at a food stand and the Bon Jovi visiting residents in his flood affected home town of Sayreville, New Jersey.

These are just some of the touching stories that prove in times of need the best of mankind often emerges, even in a city as big as New York.



VIDEO: Soup kitchens set up in Queens for those displaced by Hurricane Sandy