Rep. Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills) announced last Thursday that Sophie Friedfeld-Gebaide of Roslyn has been chosen to serve on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Youth Preparedness Council, which unites youth leaders from across American to advocate for disaster preparedness and for work in their communities.
In a statement, Israel said he selected Friedfeld-Gebaide, 12, because of her volunteer efforts in the aftermath of mass flooding in Mississippi and during Hurricane Sandy in New York through the organization All Hands.
“Sophie Friedfeld-Gebaide embodies what it means to give of yourself in order to help others,” Israel said in the statement. “Even at such a young age, Sophie is truly making a difference in her Roslyn community and around the country. I nominate Sophie to serve on the Youth Preparedness Council because I know she will continue to inspire and serve. Congratulations to Sophie and her entire family on this great achievement.”
Friedfeld-Gebaide and her fellow council members will attend a Youth Preparedness Council Summit to advise and ask questions on youth disaster preparedness, the release said, and will complete a council project with FEMA’s support.
After Hurricane Sandy, Friedfeld-Gebaide helped organize fundraisers that raised more than $38,000 in All Hands disaster relief aid, the release said, and has been involved in organizing food and clothing drives for local shelters. She has also donated a portion of her Bat Mitzvah gifts to All Hands.
