Big Pine Key, Florida

September 19, 2017

Hurricane Irma hit Florida as a Category 4 storm on the morning of September 10th, 2017 ripping off roofs, flooding coastal cities, and knocking out power for more than 6.8 million people. The Florida Keys were hit especially hard, with massive storm surges, flooding, and significant damage to homes, businesses, and local infrastructure. Hurricane Irma and its aftermath are responsible for the deaths of at least 38 people in the Caribbean and another 31 in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Officials estimate that 25 percent of the homes in the Florida Keys were destroyed and 90 percent of the homes were damaged due to the storm.

Navillus quickly set up private relief tents and a donation center. We took part in leading the efforts in providing hot meals, fresh water, and other home essentials to those affected by Irma. Additionally, we provided emergency supplies, assisted with home remediation/rebuilding, and personal communication and technology resources. As a team, we flew groups of 10 people at a time from our New York City based office to the Florida Keys in order to service the relief tent. Our employees were on a rotating schedule for several weeks as the relief tent stayed open for the residents affected by the storm to continue receiving the help and donations they so desperately needed.

“Navillus is proud to lend support to the people of Florida in a time of severe crisis,” said Donal O’Sullivan, owner and president of Navillus Contracting.

“Our goal is to help ensure that food and emergency supplies are rapidly made available to those who need it most. In the spirit of corporate citizenship, we are committed to leveraging our distinctive skills as community builders to aid residents of the Florida Keys at a time when these prec​ise capabilities are in the greatest need. We thank the Coalition of Hope for joining us in these efforts.”

Hurricane Sandy and the Rockaway Relief

Hurricane Sandy left a trail of devastation and debris across the entire Eastern Seaboard, causing more than $75B in damage. Only Katrina, the 2005 mega-storm that leveled New Orleans, caused more destruction. No New York resident could argue the about Sandy’s violence, particularly those in the Rockaway area. Residents returned to the former resort area after the eleven-foot storm surge receded to find thousands of tons of sand and storm debris covering the streets and spilling out of broken windows and doors. Homes, businesses, and popular gathering spots were gutted by powerful waves, burned by fires that broke out near ruptured gas lines, and buried in sand brought by the floods.

After the storm passed, Navillus’ many employees and their families rose to the occasion to help residents and business owners alike begin the arduous task of clearing away the wreckage and rebuilding the Belle Harbor neighborhood of the Rockaways. Stunned by the mountains of debris and miles of devastation, Navillus employees quickly offered their talents and resources to help with what would become a massive undertaking. Over a 3 month period we set up an emergency response operations. We mobilized equipment to get aid to sites, set up tents and supplied over 150 volunteers, dug over 300 homes, and provided over 4,500 meals a day. A basic human right to food and shelter was taken away from many individuals so we did what we could, our staff their families and children all lent a hand and we fought together to restore the Rockaway area

Continuing the growth

The philosophy behind Navillus has always been based around leadership, trust and teamwork and since the devastating destruction of hurricane Sandy our work has not stopped. Each year we make a donation to an area affected by Sandy in an aim to ensure educational and purposeful advantage is assured. In 2016, Navillus donated 40 Google chrome laptops and two wireless printers to the St. Camillus schools in Rockaway. We felt truly honored to give back to this community and moreover nourish the minds of our future leaders.

Haven Community Foundation

The Haven Community Foundation was set up in response to the desperate plight of the people in Haiti, where, following the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010, over 230,000 lives were taken and over 1.2 million people were made homeless. Haven is principally engaged in bringing aid to the people of Haiti in the form of shelter, water, sanitation, training, and other humanitarian assistance. Partnerships were formed with leading international NGO’s to provide emergency relief in areas most affected by the natural disaster. During Haven’s first three years in operation on the ground in Haiti, the charity became one of the leading aid organizations in Haiti.

‘Build it Week’ is Haven’s volunteer program, which sees the organization bring large groups of volunteers to Haiti to work on its rural building projects. Navillus employees and family members got involved in the rebuilding of the homes and lives of others less fortunate than themselves. In order to make the trips possible, Navillus to date have raised over $100,000 to cover the costs of the volunteer’s travel expenses.

“Being a volunteer in a project of such magnitude puts everything in perspective and we are all reminded once more to be grateful for all that we have” Donal O’Sullivan, President of Navillus Contracting.

Sporting Sponsorship

We participate in and sponsor a variety of Organizations, Associations and programs at a local level from habitat for humanity projects to cultural & heritage development to annual fund raising charity events all in an effort to give back and to support and help the young and the old in our local. As proud supporters of all genres of sport Navillus are proud of their heritage, thus we aim to help as best we can to support Irish related clubs in New York. Along with this we also support non-profit clubs in New York City such as YMCA, which aim to bring about social change and empowerment amongst youths communities throughout the city.

We are advocates of healthy lifestyles choices while still supporting local clubs and communities reinforcing growth. This also allows employees to engage in new sporting opportunities along with upholding our company ethos

Fulfill the wishes of low-income children, teens, families and seniors who may not otherwise receive a holiday gift by participating in our Winter Wishes program. Companies are invited to request Winter Wishes letters in bulk or to volunteer with New York Cares to screen and catalog incoming letters.

The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.

The primary goal of Marine Toys for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children.

In order to better execute the Program, in 1991 the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was created at the behest of the Marine Corps.

To end hunger by organizing food, information and support for community survival and dignity. Food Bank For New York City has been working to end food poverty in our five boroughs for over 36 years. As the city’s largest hunger-relief organization, we employ a multifaceted approach centered on helping low-income New Yorkers overcome their circumstances and achieve greater independence.

We believe every child in America should have equal opportunity and access to a quality education.
To achieve this, we partner with teachers and students in under-resourced schools to provide the support needed for teachers to teach and learners to learn. We know that when teachers are able to focus on teaching, rather than resourcing, education wins.

Through our signature programs and network of more than 40 well-established resource centers across the country, we provide over $100 million in supplies annual. Last year we served over 5 million students and over 200,000 teachers.