Superstorm Sandy may have crushed homes and possessions but the Christmas spirit remains strong and supportive for those affected.
After two months of rebuilding here in Belle Harbor, hundreds of residents gathered at this church today.
The priest here told the crowd that Christmas is a time to see light through darkness--a gesture of hope for a broken community.
It was an emotional Christmas morning mass for residents of Belle Harbor. The 10:30 service at St. Francis de Sales Parish was packed this morning, but hearts hung heavy.
Neighbors and friends displaced by the storm are noticeably missing.
"There's not a lot of familiar faces though, still not a lot of people here," said Elaine Scotto, Belle Harbor resident.
"I think most families have moved away and haven't come back," said Scotto.
After church, Fox 5 caught up with Elaine and her three children back at their Belle Harbor home. Their basement was destroyed during Sandy along with years of Christmas mementos.
"All our Christmas decorations were down here, and all the memories of raising my children, I've been in this house 22 years," said Scotto.
But the Scotto's made the best of the situation. This year, they brought a simple Christmas tree and crafted handmade ornaments.
"They made me all new Christmas ornaments, all handy crafts."
Elaine says despite the spirit of the holiday, there is still a dark cloud hanging over the neighborhood.
"It's depressing, you look outside and the houses are falling down and the ocean is a lot closer than it should be."
But the Scotto's remain positive with hope the New Year brings a new beginning.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:57 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:57:40 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:47 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:47:54 GMT
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:17:42 GMT
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City.
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City. In a report released Thursday, dozens of daycares cited by the Dept. of Health for serious and critical health code violations since 2010, have not fixed the problems and continue to operate without penalty.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:08:35 GMT
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 9:54 PM EDT2013-05-15 01:54:43 GMT
The FDNY must subject itself to court supervision for five years to ensure it does not discriminate against blacks and Hispanics in its hiring practices, a federal appeals court said.
The FDNY must subject itself to court supervision for five years to ensure it does not discriminate against blacks and Hispanics in its hiring practices, a federal appeals court said.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:59 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:59:22 GMT
USDA photo
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island.
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island, according to state agriculture officials.
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