Star of Brooklyn: Michael Taylor
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Michael Taylor’s day job is as a civil servant, but his service doesn’t end after business hours. Taylor is the founder of We Care New York, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit dedicated to “helping people with relief, rebuilding and recovery in times of crisis or natural disaster.”
Since launching in March, 2013, the all-volunteer organization has partnered with community leaders to bring donations of food and other essentials to neighborhoods in need – such as Rockaways, the Bronx, Coney Island, Gerritsen Beach and Canarsie – and directed New Yorkers to resources and organizations that can help them address recovery problems.
For example, the group partnered with the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots program and will help recruit volunteers to sort and pack toys for all the organizations in the area that need it.