WHO IS LOU PUYA JR?

Hello All,

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Nechama, has been receiving requests for help from disaster victims all over New York and New Jersey.  When we take on a new case as field team leaders, we are given a work request form.  Essentially, it provides us with homeowner contact information and a description of what work needs to be done.  My first question is always who is it we are helping?  Not just their name, but more importantly, their story.  In this case, it was who is Lou Puya Jr?  It quickly became evident that nothing in my file could come close to answering this question.  Whether Lou, a single dad, was proudly recapping his son's many accomplishments, or was sharing classic tales of the 1970s rock concerts he attended in his youth, he had us sitting on the edge of our seats wanting more.  Lou is captivating.   Quick with a joke, but perhaps quicker with a compliment.  From the start, he made my volunteers and I feel like family.  He is larger than life.

If there ever was a silver lining with the storm destroying Lou's home, it's this.  It was about time for some remodeling at 27 Overton Street.  For the better part of the past two decades, Lou has been battling Multiple Sclerosis.  This, while raising a family day in and day out in a home that wasn't handicap accessible.  Can you even imagine?  Seeing Lou's strength in person takes the air from my lungs.  MS and those legs of his be damned.  Find a way to measure the strength in Lou's heart, mind, and soul, and you will find one of the strongest men in the world.

After working 150 hours with my team on Lou's home, things seem to be in line to have the rebuild done handicap accessible! Unfortunately there is nothing we can do to bring back memories destroyed by the storm, but hopefully this will be the beginning of many more happy memories for Lou and his family.

So, who is Lou Puya Jr?  How about an example to us all.  Heroes don't always need to be found in history books or throwing footballs on Sundays.  Sometimes, they are found raising a family on Long Island.

Thanks Lou

Mark Jude McGilvery

Nechama Disaster Response Field Team Leader

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