Posted Tuesday, March 26, 2013 1:27 pm

Gail McGovern, the president and CEO of the National American Red Cross visited Long Island on March 21, to meet with local leaders and discuss ongoing relief and recovery efforts for Superstorm Sandy.

Attendees included Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, Kevin Law, President of the Long Island Association, as well as community partners like Gwen O’Shea from the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, and Randi Dresner of Island Harvest.

“Talks focused on the Sandy response so far and what unmet needs Long Islanders might have.

It was also announced that the Red Cross would commit $1.4M to Island Harvest to extend local feeding programs for Sandy victims through July. This was on top of $1.2M already provided in February.

Also announced was $1M toward the Long Island Unmet Needs Roundtable. Chaired by the Health and Welfare Council, the roundtable is comprised of nonprofit agencies from across Long Island, including the United Way of Long Island. The group will help offer grants to help meet unmet needs on Long Island.

McGovern also met with Tom and Jeanne Gargiulo, a family from Babylon that was inspired to volunteer with the Red Cross, despite losing their home to the storm.

“We are so grateful for the support we’ve received from our national headquarters, and the flexibility to work so closely with our local partners,” said John Miller, CEO of the Long Island Red Cross. “As a Long Islander, I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished together and know that despite the devastation caused by Sandy, we will be even stronger as a community moving forward.”